How much exercise when you're sick?

Nicoleo1
Nicoleo1 Posts: 159 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I wanted to start 2012 off strong, but it's not happening. I've got a bug. Sore throat, stuffy nose, sore muscles... On Saturday I wondered if I was going to make it home when I took my dogs out for a 30 minute walk, I felt so weak. Yesterday I felt much improved when I took them out, but still tired. My old school of thought was that if I could work hard it would seem almost as if I'd "sweated it out" of my system... but I'm not 21 any more!
What do you guys think? I'm not seriously ill, but is it better to be kind to myself and be lazy, or should I push it?

Replies

  • skateboardstef
    skateboardstef Posts: 164 Member
    I would take it easy. Don't push yourself when you're sick.
  • funkycamper
    funkycamper Posts: 998 Member
    I think that when you're sick that you should let all your body's energy go toward healing. Sleep more, eat healthy, drink fluids, and rebound before exercising. All imho, of course! Feel better soon.
  • camillehardeman
    camillehardeman Posts: 46
    Well I definently feel better after a little bit of exercise when I'm sick but everyone is different. Try something less intense? Or maybe just turn on some music and dance? Don't focus on calorie burning maybe (your body needs energy to fight your sickness) and just try to move in a way that feels comfortable for you. Get well soon!
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Don't kill yourself, but don't take it easy, just do your regular routine. I have a nasty cold right now, but still made my way downstairs to my basement to get my scheduled workout in.

    But then, I never do anything different when I get sick, so maybe I'm the wrong person to give advice. :laugh:
  • judykritikos
    judykritikos Posts: 161
    Starve a fever, feed a cold. When you're sick -your body will try and heal itself. That's why we sleep and drink more - to help it do it's job. If you're sick enough to miss work, (and when you're sick - you SHOULD, so you don't give it to others), then you need to help your body, not hinder it.
    Drink more liquids, hot liquids. take the meds to help clear the congestion, eat soup-type foods, light on the stomach, but high nutrition. Working out will sweat it out - removing even more precious liquids from your body at the time it needs it the most.
    You shouldn't gain weight when you're sick - if you're resting and drinking liquids, because you're not eating junk foods (well... hopefully not. :)
    Rest is what the doctor ordered.
    Feel better soon.
  • MelMoly
    MelMoly Posts: 1,303 Member
    I tried to work out when I was sick... I ran 3 miles and did some insanity. Next day...omg FML
    So it is all on hold till I am better
  • juliep1974
    juliep1974 Posts: 222 Member
    I usually like to continue to exercise if I'm sick (I follow the rule that is it fine to keep at it if you've got a head cold, cough - anything above the neck, but below the neck you need to stay in bed and rest). I don't do as intense a workout but I get myself moving and it seems to help me feel better more quickly. Everybody is different though so listen to your body.
  • CarolynB38
    CarolynB38 Posts: 553 Member
    Listen to your body. If you feel you can do a little gentle exercise then do it, it might make you feel better. If you don't feel like doing anything and just want to rest then that is your body telling you that it needs all it's energy to recover. Going for a walk is great exercise if you are ill but feel up to exercise. I would give anything high-intensity a miss though. It's better to rest for a day or two and be able to get back to exercise soon, than to force it while you're ill and knock yourself back for a week or more.

    Hope you feel better soon :flowerforyou:
  • carliekitty
    carliekitty Posts: 303 Member
    I had a a little cold and went out and worked out and the next day it progressed into bronnchittis. That kept me from the gym for four days then took awhile to work back up to a decent worktout. I say take a few days off from the gym and who knows maybe all the rest will actually allow you to work out a little harder :)
  • MaximalLife
    MaximalLife Posts: 2,447 Member
    I wanted to start 2012 off strong, but it's not happening. I've got a bug. Sore throat, stuffy nose, sore muscles... On Saturday I wondered if I was going to make it home when I took my dogs out for a 30 minute walk, I felt so weak. Yesterday I felt much improved when I took them out, but still tired. My old school of thought was that if I could work hard it would seem almost as if I'd "sweated it out" of my system... but I'm not 21 any more!
    What do you guys think? I'm not seriously ill, but is it better to be kind to myself and be lazy, or should I push it?
    No Exercise.
    It's not productive and self-defeating.
  • MissFit0101
    MissFit0101 Posts: 2,382
    It's not being lazy when you allow your body the rest it needs to heal and recover. Just rest, it will only benefit you in the grand scheme of things!
  • RILEYRED
    RILEYRED Posts: 647 Member
    Rest the body. Feel better soon, Red
  • angieread
    angieread Posts: 36 Member
    I don't work out when I'm sick. I've done it before, and it always makes it worse. Drink plenty of water, sleep, rest. When you're feeling better, you'll work out even harder.
  • rainedays86
    rainedays86 Posts: 105 Member
    Definately let your body rest! It will do no good to push yourself when you are sick. Try to increase your calorie intake and get extra rest. Otherwise you will find yourself sick far longer than necessary.
  • em9371
    em9371 Posts: 1,047 Member
    Take a few days off until you feel better, or stick to light exercise like walking your dogs. A few days off won't affect your progress in the gym and you will probably work out harder when you can go back :)
  • jrditt
    jrditt Posts: 239 Member
    I was feeling sick too so I stayed in bed, next day I was feeling better so I biked and walked my dog and BOOM sickness is back and worse. Not making that mistake again, just rest for now and it will go away faster. All your energy is going to fighting the virus. I am just trying to stay in my calories.
  • christa96
    christa96 Posts: 153 Member
    I'm just getting over bronchitis. I didn't feel up to working out for at least two weeks. I went to Zumba this morning and it was tough. I could still feel it in my lungs. Baby steps to get back into the swing of things. Good luck and take care!
  • Nicoleo1
    Nicoleo1 Posts: 159 Member
    Thanks everyone for good advice and well wishes. I took the pups for just a short walk -good thing I'm the keeper of the kibble, they forgive me this stuff! Curled up with a cheezy old novel (and the dogs) for most of the afternoon and did not much of anything. I do believe I'm on the upswing. HORRAY!
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