exercise when sick??

RET68
RET68 Posts: 88
in Fitness and Exercise
So the Oak pollen has come around again, and my son and I are sneezing, snotty monsters. I feel awful, I checked my temperature multiple times, but nada. I feel like I have influenza. My muscles hurt, my bones hurt, I'm woozy. But, as I had no fever, I got in the pool anyway. I actually felt somewhat better afterwards, but only temporarily. Then I felt worse. I stayed under calories today, but just barely. So that leaves me wondering. Do you continue to exercise when sick? Do you eat more? Do you eat less? What about fever vs allergies? Would some of you successful fitness people tell me how do you handle illness? I sent my kids to three different schools last week and, we are currently enjoying a smorgasbord of bacteria and virus de jour. :sick: :huh: :ohwell:

Replies

  • spideywebb77
    spideywebb77 Posts: 126 Member
    Personally I would only do what I feel up to. There are times when your body just needs rest. Only you can truly determine that for yourself. I actually missed out on being sick this year (so far). If I were a little under the weather I might work out lightly. If I were as sick as you are describing I would probably be in bed... but then that's what I would have done at 297. Now maybe I would workout.... only time can tell.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    I do not exercise when I'm sick - rest is my #1 priority as soon as I feel something coming on, followed closely by lots of water and any food I can stand.

    Pushing through (for me anyway) usually just ends up wearing me down further, ensuring that I will wind up with the full blown bug rather than just a touch of it, and sideline me from exercise and good health even longer. :tongue: So I put exercise aside and do my best to sleep and rest as much as possible. And honestly, since doing this I haven't really been sick at all in the past couple of years! A slight scratchy throat here and there, but with plenty of rest I've kept them all at bay.

    Now watch, I'll get hammered with a nasty flu bug next week for saying that - LOL! :laugh:

    But seriously - listen to your body - if you're run down & feeling achy, I'd say your body is telling you to rest. Some people push through or say they like to "burn it out" with a good workout, but in my experience exercise does just the opposite.

    Hope you feel better soon!
  • marc_santos83
    marc_santos83 Posts: 9
    light activity such as walking or a light bike ride (beach cruiser stuff) have been shown to boost your immune system. So if you are up to it, you can be active, but just not strenuous. And rest is key. Here is an article that expands more on this topic.

    http://www.precisionnutrition.com/working-out-when-sick

    Hope you feel better soon!

    Marc Santos
    "Happiness must be cultivated, not pursued."
  • softblondechick
    softblondechick Posts: 1,275 Member
    No thanks. I am sick this week, coughing, runny nose, red eyes. I briefly considered the gym, rolled over, and took a nap.

    I know exercise is important, but a few days off, to let my body rest, is better INMO.

    Plus, please, if you are sick, and feel the need to exercise, please, please, please, stay home and away from the gym! Do your PX90 DVD's!
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    If I feel a cold coming on, I'll do a light workout -- IME, cold germs have lousy endurance. Anything more intense (food poisoning, flu, etc) and it's "rest time".

    Sorry, I don't have allergies. Doubt I'd work out if I felt as bad as you describe -- sounds nasty.

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