Sick but want to work out

shortyrock_78
shortyrock_78 Posts: 19 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I got a cold this past weekend and stopped working out because I felt so bad. I'm still not feeling great, but I want to get back to working out. I've got a cruise coming up in a few weeks and I want to drop a few pounds. Anyone work out while sick? Does it make you feel better or worse? Good idea, bad idea?

Replies

  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    I do, and it often makes me feel better.
  • smokinjackd
    smokinjackd Posts: 341
    No, baddddd shortyrock. If you workout while sick, your body is already fighting off something, now you are stressing it more. You will just be dragging yourself out more. Find a book and a blanket, snuggle up and get better then back to the routine.
  • xAmes
    xAmes Posts: 3
    Walk/jog intervals when I have a cold always makes me feel more energized and helps to break up some of the mucous it seems. It's not scientific but that's my experience.
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    I do and I feel better but to be honest I think it's just a temporary release of endorphins post exercise.

    I believe the rule is if it's a head cold go ahead and have mild exercise.

    If the cold goes down to your throat and lungs (i.e. sore throat and cough) to rest until you're healed.
  • itsuki
    itsuki Posts: 520 Member
    It really depends on how sick you are. If it's something with a fever, or something that's in your lungs, you probably shouldn't. Just a headcold? If you feel up to it, I guess.

    But please, don't work out in the gym. No reason to get your fellow gym-goers sick.
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
    Doesn't working out weaken your bodies ability to fight these things off? Seems to me if I'm starting to get sick and I workout hard, I get hit HARD. Really hard. It's been this way forever. I started to formulate the idea that working out breaks down my bodies ability to fight off illness.

    I don't know if that's scientific or true but that has been my experience!

    Anyway. I prefer to rest until my body is recovered and THEN I start working out again. Until my body has recovered I stick to more lighter exercise. Like walking or lifting myself out of bed. :P
  • shortyrock_78
    shortyrock_78 Posts: 19 Member
    I am not one of those people! I work out at home :)
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    Start out by going for a walk... nothing too intense. Going for a nice walk is much better than doing nothing.

    If you are fine with the walk try to do your normal exercise.

    If I'm not coughing and am feeling good enough to move around I will go for a walk or use my stationary bike. Light exercise until I am feeling better.
  • jenniebean1680
    jenniebean1680 Posts: 350 Member
    Usually if you're feeling up to working out, it's probably ok to do so, just go somewhat easy and see how you feel. Rule of thumb for exercising while ill is that if your symptoms are from the neck up (ie headache, stuffy nose, sore throat) you're good to go if you feel like it. If they are below the neck (fever, chills, chesty cough, body aches) then ixnay on the orkoutway.
  • bacitracin
    bacitracin Posts: 921 Member
    I always found out that working out helps me fight off minor infections quicker. I dunno if it's because my core body temperature is elevated for awhile and the bugs get cooked instead of having to go to war with my white blood cells or what. But yeah, basically, if it's above the neck, it's generally okay to exercise, but below the neck , stay in bed.
  • meredith1123
    meredith1123 Posts: 843 Member
    When our bodies are sick - our immune systems are already working double to help us get better. give yourself a break! go back when you are feeling up to it. At most go take a walk outside and dont push yourself.
  • crystalflame
    crystalflame Posts: 1,049 Member
    If it's just a cold and you don't have fever or aches, working out is fine - it usually helps you fight off the cold a little faster. Just listen to your body and stop if it feels like you're overexerting yourself.

Categories