Sickness and the Gym - Need Advice

appleseeds
appleseeds Posts: 212 Member
edited January 4 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm having a hard time - beating myself up - and I could use some advice.

I went away for 4 days, and my food while on holidays was terrible.

I've come back and this sickness that has been around for like 6 weeks but was finally getting better before I went away is now back in full force.
So I got antibiotics and am on the way to health

BUT

Now I havent been to a workout in 8 days - and when I'm sick I eat soo much comfort food so its been like 8 days of small weight gain.

I have a 8 hour shift I'm about to run off to and I can tell from how i feel this morning I'm not going to make it to the gym afterwards and I feel so s*** about myself like I've given up everything. Logical brain says rest and go back when you feel well but ive been working out 5-6 days a week for 6 months.

Technically im not so sick im on the floor, after all I am going to work (im casual so I dont get sick days)

Should a person stay home until they are completely well or is my guilt there for a reason? Am I slacking off?

Replies

  • Vonwarr
    Vonwarr Posts: 390 Member
    Recovering from being sick takes energy. Don't kill yourself... if you feel ****ty, recover. Rest is the most important thing with regards to good health, fitness, and weight loss. Worry about your workouts if it has been 21 days and you haven't been (3 weeks forms a habit), but not before.

    Alternatively, go to the gym, but just do a lower impact workout. Don't bust yourself, if you normally run, walk or do walk-run intervals instead. If you normally lift, you can reduce yourself to 1/3rd volume and maintain strength while cutting your workout much shorter.

    Comfort food is ok, but keep on logging and if you can, keep your calories around/under maintenance and you won't be gaining.
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    Anything you had to be put on antiobiotics for needs rest to fully recover from. Your body will thank you in the long run if you wait until you're back to 100% before you hit the gym again.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    If you're on antibiotics, obviously it's something serious so rest is definitely the best thing for you right now. As you start feeling better, go ahead and work out again but lower the intensity and frequency. Like if you run, just walk or if you walk, walk slower. And if you usually do 5-6 days, just do 3 at first. You can get fully back in once you're 100% again.

    Generally, the neck/throat is the cut off area. If you're fighting a head cold, it's ok to work out but you may want to lower the intensity and/or frequency of your workouts. The however to that cut off is sinus or ear infections. Any infection means your body is working harder and you should rest. For below the neck - obviously chest colds, bronchitis, pneumonia (infection, hard to breath) or the stomach flu are going to really rob you of energy and the ability to do an efficient workout. Again, beter to rest and take care of yoursef.

    Above all, listen to your body. If you're worn out, rest and eat well! When you feel better, start slowly incorporating exercise back into your routine.
  • Morgenlstar
    Morgenlstar Posts: 31 Member
    Don't beat yourself up! You're sick.. you need rest. Your body is working hard to fight off an illness and you don't want to add to the stress. If you push yourself too hard you could make yourself even more sick and then you'll lose even more gym time! Just do your best to balance your diet. =)
This discussion has been closed.

Categories