Exercise and Illness

ShalisaClam
ShalisaClam Posts: 190
edited October 7 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been ill for the last 3-4 days with (what I think is) a flu. Although I am not vomiting (I know, lots of icky info on this post) I am achy, fevered, headache for 4 days. I have also called in sick to work the last 2 days. I do a variety of exercise tapes at home, and I usually have no trouble completing them without rest breaks (stamina ok). I thought maybe if I kept exercising it would make me feel better. I had to take frequent breaks during the dvd's, and still feel bleh. So I guess my question is: When you are sick, should you continue to try and exercise since it's good for your body? Or should you (I have) skip(ped) the 3-4 days? When I did exercise it seemed to make my headache worse and I felt very out of breath. The reason I felt I shouldn't take a break is because I am lazy (!) and would find it very hard to get back on track after taking a few days off, and might not go back to exercising for a loooong time. Help appreciated.

Replies

  • justle
    justle Posts: 275 Member
    i do try and carry on but sometimes i'm just feeling too crappy to even give it a go.

    one thing i read somewhere was

    "you wouldn't get a lot done in life if you only worked on the days you felt good"

    and i try and stick by this as much as possible.

    I've had the flu and done my usual exercise dvd but felt like an asthmatic after running a marathon and sounded like an 80 year old woman suffering bronchitis lol!


    yes if you do workout your not going to get a brilliant burn and your probably going to have to stop every 5 mins BUT your moving AND when your not poorly any longer your going to feel like your a superstar because you tried your hardest even when you were feeling like death :)
  • bettertracie
    bettertracie Posts: 196 Member
    I would have tried too, but my motto is too sick for work, probably shouldn't workout... Your body is fighting to get healthy again and while blood flow is important, it's easy to overdo it and make yourself weaker. You'll know when it's time to workout; and when you do, take it easy, don't push hard... let yourself heal.
  • jim_n_virginia
    jim_n_virginia Posts: 59 Member
    I believe we should listen to our bodies. If I am sick it is OK to rest until I feel better. If we are sick I think it is better to nuture the body instead of stressing it with exercise.
  • ShalisaClam
    ShalisaClam Posts: 190
    Thanks for the advice. I am going to see how I feel tomorrow - and MAYBE take the day off from exercise. I would like to go to work tomorrow and don't want to be too worn out. :sick:
  • dragonladywendy
    dragonladywendy Posts: 71
    Maybe a good, brisk walk would have been better. It is great exercise and tends to clear away the cobwebs (and dry soggy noses) and you can determine at what speed you go at. Listen to your body, it knows best, after all.
    Good luck,
    :)
  • robinogue
    robinogue Posts: 1,117 Member
    I believe we should listen to our bodies. If I am sick it is OK to rest until I feel better. If we are sick I think it is better to nuture the body instead of stressing it with exercise.

    I feel the same way!
  • Tebbspcad
    Tebbspcad Posts: 233
    Just try a nice brisk walk in the fresh air, it will be a lot better than trying to kill yourself with a strenuous work out & you will recover quicker :happy:
  • BrenB150
    BrenB150 Posts: 132 Member
    I read that if you have flu like symptoms you should not work out.. You need to let your body rest so it can recover fast.. But if you just have a cold that working out can actually help you.. If you been sick for 4 days now.. I would just relax and let you body have a break to recover.. Get plenty of rest
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