Getting sick after starting a new workout regime?? Common or not?

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iNikosaurus
iNikosaurus Posts: 26 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So i've gone on and off exercising for a while for many reasons. One common thing for me seems to be that a few days after i start working out i tend to get sick. Head cold, throat ache, runny nose, tired eyes... the works! No one really wants to work out while sick so i always tended to give up for a while. Then this time i noticed it again when i tried to start all over again. It's not my foods because i'm eating generally well, lots of vitamin c and protein and whatnot. Maybe I'm working out too hard right away? who knows!

From what i read online, this is a common thing! It happens because your body is too distracted and taking care of muscles instead of running the immune system fully. I already have a weakened immune system so this temporary weakness from working out seems to allow virus' to have their way with me. It down right sucks and bums me out every time.

This time, however, i will try and push through it. Does anyone know any simple things i can do to help ease my throat, and runny nose. I've been taking cold pills and having tea with lemon and trying to grab more hours of sleep. What other cold remedies do you find help? And anyone else experience this dilemma too?

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  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,209 Member
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    I don't see how pushing through sickness will make it happen less. If it's from doing too much too soon (a likely reason), then start with shorter, easier workouts and progress slowly.

    What is the diagnosis or cause of your "already weakened immune system"? Are you taking any medications?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,867 Member
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    the only time i've ever had an issue like this was when i went from about 0 to 100 mph and over-trained.
  • rsclause
    rsclause Posts: 3,103 Member
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    ^^^^ I agree, start slow and build. You won't get sore and feel better. You may even stick with it.
  • cheshirecatastrophe
    cheshirecatastrophe Posts: 1,395 Member
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    I start taking enormous quantities of zinc (Cold-Eeze drops, usually) as soon as I so much as suspect I might be getting a cold. Zinc is the one thing that *some* clinical studies have shown can reduce the duration/intensity of a cold. I find that to be accurate for me. I'll still get sick, but not *as* sick.

    I don't get "workout flu", though! One thought--are you exercising at a gym? You could be picking up some kind of new bug going around the gym. I always wash my hands after sharing gym equipment and am careful not to touch my eyes or mouth until I do...
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
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    You are doing more than your body can recover from right now. Do less and build up your capability smartly.
  • vlefler
    vlefler Posts: 2 Member
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    It could be that you suffer from exercise induced rhinitis (the runny nose and sore throat are indicators). I do, too; the symptoms are especially noticeable when I do harder cardio. You could consult a specialist for an inhaler, but I find that taking 0.5-1 Benadryl tablets about 20 minutes before I run prevents the symptoms. I haven't yet found that the effects lessen over time, but you should listen to your breathing. If it becomes too labored, back off your routine.
  • iNikosaurus
    iNikosaurus Posts: 26 Member
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    Cherimoose wrote: »
    I don't see how pushing through sickness will make it happen less. If it's from doing too much too soon (a likely reason), then start with shorter, easier workouts and progress slowly.

    What is the diagnosis or cause of your "already weakened immune system"? Are you taking any medications?

    I'm not sure either, i was always told rest is one of the biggest things you need but everywhere i'm looking online people just say to push through it unless you have a high fever or can't breathe. I figure that is the case, i've always been a go hard or go home but if i can avoid getting these colds maybe i can finally stick to something lasting.

    Other then that it's more of a private matter. The Dr. says it's genetic and that there's not much they can do about it besides proper cleaning and being cautious.
  • iNikosaurus
    iNikosaurus Posts: 26 Member
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    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    the only time I've ever had an issue like this was when i went from about 0 to 100 mph and over-trained.
    It is possible. I wasn't sure because i don't consider it to be that hard of a workout. Probably because i have been at a higher level of intensity before. Though going from doing nearly absolutely nothing (besides work and a dog walk or two) to 2 dog walks, 20 minutes brisk walk, 30 minutes weight training and 40 minutes biking, probably has an affect on me. I just was so amped to get going you know xD
  • iNikosaurus
    iNikosaurus Posts: 26 Member
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    cheshirecatastrophe wrote: »
    I start taking enormous quantities of zinc (Cold-Eeze drops, usually) as soon as I so much as suspect I might be getting a cold. Zinc is the one thing that *some* clinical studies have shown can reduce the duration/intensity of a cold. I find that to be accurate for me. I'll still get sick, but not *as* sick.

    I don't get "workout flu", though! One thought--are you exercising at a gym? You could be picking up some kind of new bug going around the gym. I always wash my hands after sharing gym equipment and am careful not to touch my eyes or mouth until I do...

    You can find those at a pharmacy over counter? I may try that next time.

    Nope, i have all my equipment at home. I tend to avoid places with lots of germs simply because i get sick easily. Though I work in schools so no matter how much i sanitize i'm sure the virus came in that way. Probably through the air or something. ):
  • iNikosaurus
    iNikosaurus Posts: 26 Member
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    scottb81 wrote: »
    You are doing more than your body can recover from right now. Do less and build up your capability smartly.
    Mhm that is what i figured. Though I'm always afraid i'm not doing enough during a workout because i either feel the burn or dont. I tend to think i'm not doing much while i'm doing it and then the next day i am K.O. So i just never know when to really stop. I even started on a beginners regime haha. Though since i've been sick i've taken it a bit easier to let my body bounce back :)
  • iNikosaurus
    iNikosaurus Posts: 26 Member
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    vlefler wrote: »
    It could be that you suffer from exercise induced rhinitis (the runny nose and sore throat are indicators). I do, too; the symptoms are especially noticeable when I do harder cardio. You could consult a specialist for an inhaler, but I find that taking 0.5-1 Benadryl tablets about 20 minutes before I run prevents the symptoms. I haven't yet found that the effects lessen over time, but you should listen to your breathing. If it becomes too labored, back off your routine.

    Though is your rhinitis continue even after the workout, all day, for days? I haven't talked to my doctor about this yet as he's on vacation but i do intend to talk to him to see what he thinks.

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