Exercise whilst flu-ey?

bazaar1982 · July 2012

I've got flu

i ran on sat (when I thought it was just a cold) and did my wk5d1 of c25k - it was HARD. Since then I've got worse and am suffering, but finally seem to be coming out the other side, but I'm due to run tomorrow. What's everyone's opinion on running whilst poorly? Mum says no - it'll make me worse, others say to keep going!

sho3girl · July 2012

sweat it out! unless you're feeling very fragile

LorinaLynn · July 2012

Having just gotten over the flu myself... rest. It's what your body needs.

Personally, I don't log my food when I'm sick, either... I just try to eat smart choices and get plenty of fluids. But I'm not going to stress about the sodium in chicken noodle soup, for instance, or worry that I'm too much over or under in calories or macros.

I've been running for over a year and a half, and the first time back running after the flu was really rough. My body was still weak and my lungs were strained. I took it easy... walked when I needed to walk, ran at a slow and comfortable pace.

annieu613 · July 2012

Personally if it's only in my head (headache/runny nose/sore throat) then I'll keep going. If it's in my chest/other areas of my body (stomach ache/sore joints/etc) then I'll rest.

If you're feeling really bad then your body needs rest to heal. Give yourself a few days. I promise you will still be able to run if you take some time off.

zoom2 · July 2012

If it's in your lungs - no go. You risk extending your illness. Lungs are fragile and easily irritated if one attempts aerobic workouts while sick.

contingencyplan · July 2012

Unless you're only experiencing cold symptoms and have no fever, it's best to rest while sick as you could extend the illness or risk turning it into something even more severe.

HelloSweetie4 · July 2012

Listen to your body. With the Flu it would be best to rest, but as you're feeling better, just do what you can. Also don't worry about calories, as you probably won't have much of an appetite while your sick. Just make sure you drink plenty of water and natural juices.

vim_n_vigor · July 2012

I've got flu i ran on sat (when I thought it was just a cold) and did my wk5d1 of c25k - it was HARD. Since then I've got worse and am suffering, but finally seem to be coming out the other side, but I'm due to run tomorrow. What's everyone's opinion on running whilst poorly? Mum says no - it'll make me worse, others say to keep going!

It varies based on symptoms. Generally for the flu bug though, I would let my body rest. Pushing too hard while sick can prolong the illness or make it worse.

kitigonkukoo · July 2012

I agree in general with the advice above...

If you are congested even, (nose/sinuses or lungs)- no exercise, just eat healthy, stay very hydrated, and rest. You'll recover twice as fast, and can get right back to your normal schedule.

If you try to push it, you might be able to get through a workout or two, but you will almost definately prolong your actual illness, which can have additional complications.

Hydrate. Eat Smart. Rest.

sdow · July 2012

I am not a doctor or a trainer, but I think you need to let your body use its energy on getting well not on exercise. Take care and do all those things our grandmothers used to tell us--drink lots of fluids, eat well, plenty of rest, etc.

TurtleRunnerNC · July 2012

If it is the Flu then you need to rest or it will really knock you for a loop.

Chairless · July 2012

If you are considering exercise, its not flu.

The first sign of someone having flu is not them saying i have flu, its them saying "kill me".

Exercise with a cold sure, if you feel upto it but you risk just dragging it out.

Fluids and rest, these are what you need.

Liasings · July 2012

Still in the process of getting over head/chest glop. I did a gentle, SLOW, treadmill walk a couple of times (I've been sick since 7/6). Anything energetic triggered coughing fits that I preferred to avoid. I was one week into C25K; I'll have to start over, but it was better than coughing until I passed out and shot off the treadmill.

auntiebabs · July 2012

read an article a little while ago about exercising when you've got a cold (I know not the same as the flu)

if you feel up to it a light work out (one that doesn't increase your heart-rate) is okay and will amp up your immune system a bit.

As for running with the flu.. I'd think rest and fluids are what you would need

zoom2 · July 2012

If you are considering exercise, its not flu.

The first sign of someone having flu is not them saying i have flu, its them saying "kill me".

Exercise with a cold sure, if you feel upto it but you risk just dragging it out.

Fluids and rest, these are what you need.

This is true. And legit flu will leave your lungs in bad shape for weeks. Last time I had the flu (the year they mis-guesstimated strains in the vaccine) I was not up to par, aerobically, for probably a good 4-5 weeks. I am also asthmatic, so someone with healthy lungs would likely have bounced-back a bit faster.

bazaar1982 · July 2012

Thanks guys, may give it a miss tomorrow as I'm feeling bad again this evening! For those saying its not flu, how could you possibly know? I thought it was a cold early last week but it's got progressively worse (shivers, fever, streaming eyes, nose etc). It's flu. I do not feel like running, or doing anything tbh, but that's not an option with 2 kids! I just wanted to know if it was worth forcing myself up and out for a run. I knw there are mies when I've had a major headache and felt like death but a run has helped, wasn't sure if it's a similar thing with a flu bug.

Will leave it till later in the week, see how I feel!

Cait_Sidhe · July 2012

I've been down with the sickness going on 3 weeks now. My advice is rest. Pushing yourself too hard when sick will only make it worse and prolonged. I did c25k and ran when sick. It was a mistake and it certainly didn't help my progression.

Exercise whilst flu-ey?

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