Firstly thanks to everyone who commented on my post about soy on Monday- it was really interesting to hear your thoughts & feedback!
Despite my success last month to escape the flu when it got the best of my mom & sister, I’ve finally been hit. I’m pretty sure it’s linked to the current weather change. Over the past week, the temperatures seem to have done a complete 180- it is HAWT outside! I shouldn’t complain though- the last time I recall feeling under the weather was in December 2011. Along with gettin’ my druggie on, I’ve also been staying off exercise completely.
In the past I probably would have attempted to “sweat out” the illness with a lower-intensity workout. From what I’ve heard, the general rule of thumb is that it’s okay to go ahead and exercise if your symptoms are above the neck e.g. runny nose, nasal congestion or sore throat. On the other hand, symptoms below the neck such as chest congestion, severe cough, or an upset tummy call for absolute rest until your symptoms clear up. In my personal experience, cutting out exercise completely during the first few days of any illness always works wonders. Any attempts in the past to train through merely prolonged my recovery time due to the added stress on my body. I’m not a doctor but I’d rather my body use its resources towards fighting off the cold/flu than allocate resources towards healing my muscles.
That all being said, I’m starting to feel a bit restless. It didn’t take long for the extra sleep and lazing around to get old. Depending on how I feel, I might attempt to go for a walk later. In the meanwhile I guess I’ll continue upping my intake of vitamin-rich foods and hydrating like crazy- water has never tasted so good! And since I can’t satisfy my workout craving, you better believe I’m satisfying my Brinner (breakfast for dinner) craving:
Deformed pancakes or not, they tasted fab!
Do you exercise when sick?
Enjoy your pancakes. I find these days I take rest too! It is underrated! A walk is definitely nice though if you’re feeling up to it! Enjoy your Brinner!
Totally agree about rest being underrated…even during normal workout weeks!
I hope you feel better soon girl!
I only started exercising like 4-5 years ago, and I actually haven’t really been sick since then. It’s so weird!!! But if I ever do catch a cold, I would probably take the time off from exercising. I just can’t imagine working out being enjoyable when all I want to do is curl up on the couch with some tea!
Totally with you about curling up on the couch when ill….nothing beats a cuppa tea, biscuits and trashy tv :)!
Feel better! I don’t exercise when sick, but I’ve heard about the above-the-neck rule. My sister has the flu right now, too, and the poor baby is out flat (okay, okay, she’s 8 – she hates when I call her baby, but she’s so cute!)
Hope your sister is feeling better, Sabrina!
It just depends for me. If I’m super congested, I tend to want to do nothing but sit and watch TV! I don’t know how people work out hard when they’re sick. It makes me sick just thinking about it, and knowing me, I’d probably pass out or something. Feel better soon, K!
It also makes me sick to think of the kinds of germs sick people spread when they come to the gym!! 🙂
Ugh, flu. I hope you feel better soon!
For me and being sick, the severity depends on whether or not I’ll keep exercising. If my throat’s a little scratchy or I’m a little stuffed up, than I’m usually ok to keep with routine. Anything more serious than that (headache, stomachache, anything that’s more than a mild annoyance) and I’ll rest. I agree with you – would rather my body allocate it’s resources to making me feel better than healing muscles!
Thanks for your well wishes Sam :)!
I definitelyyy take my rest days when I’m sick! It was so frustrating this past January when I got some sort of flu and was down for the count for weeks. When I was feeling better I tried to exercise, but would usually start coughing after only 15 minutes so I’d stop. Best to ease your way back into it, it was tough feeling so restless, but really what’s the hurry? It’s not like I’ll never be able to exercise again. May as well take the time I need to get back to 100% health.
So true about it not being like you can never work out again! If you don’t exercise this week, there’s always next week…and the week after that!!
Awwr sorry to hear that you’re not feeling too great, Khushboo… I hope you feel better soon!
I actually have no idea how people push themselves to work out when they’re sick… Even if it’s above the neck, if I’m congested or dealing with a sore throat, the last thing I want to do is get my sweat on, so I’m definitely with you on preferring to use my body’s resources to heal rather than build up my fitness. There will still be plenty of days to exercise, and a little bit of rest is never a bad thing.
On the few times I have worked out in the past during illness, they’ve always been half-assed attempts…which ends up being a lose-lose situ (crappy workout and I end up feeling more run down)!
gah I need to get my hands on some chickpea flour. I hope you feel better soon, I hate being sick.
Chickpea flour is awesome…and very versatile!
hope you get better soon. I do not work out at all when I am sick, maybe a walk if I feel strong enough. Like you said- i think its important to rest our body and provide adequate nutrients and hydration. Take Care. Even though deformed- i love your brinner
Thanks Dixya! Brinner seems to have become a regular fixture over here ;)!
Chickpea flour pancakes….these are new to me, and I’m fascinated. Tell me more.
I hope you feel better soon. I like to sweat out the sickness in the form of a hot, hot bath with no fan. No exercise for me either.
If you can get your hands on some chickpea flour, do it! The batter is really simple too (water, cinnamon, vanilla essence) and then just cook/eat pancake as you normally would.
Breakfast for dinner is definitely the way to go..especially if you aren’t feeling too well! Get better soon :).
Thanks, Hannah!
Awww.. hope you feel better K. No, I don’t exercise when I’m sick, I’m one of those who just needs an excuse not to go to the gym. Where do you get those funny little postcards?
Thanks, Nisha! Check out this site for the e-cards: http://www.someecards.com
Aww I hope you feel better soon! It’s snowed in London the past three days so I’m very jealous of your heat!
Thanks Tara! Hope you’re bundled up and stocked with a good supply of hot cocoa :)!
I go back and forth on the working out while sick. I don’t get sick to often, so it’s hard for me to take breaks..but I DO when I feel I need them. Especially if my cold is lasting longer than a few days.
I’m with you- I don’t get ill often (touch wood) but when I do, I feel like my whole life is thrown out of whack ha!
I’m with you – I always take off exercise completely for the first few days I’m under the weather. I can never breathe when my nose is all stuffed anyway! I hope you feel better soon!
Thanks Shelly 🙂
I’m so sorry you’re under the weather, Khushboo! I hope the rest is working its magic, and that you’re on the mend now. <3
There was a point in my life when I exercised through *everything.* I'd force my sneezing, wheezing tired self to the gym no matter what the circumstance. I'm SO grateful those days are over! Now I take a much more conservative approach, and really try to listen to my body. If it's a cold, and I have the energy, I'll work out, but assess how I'm feeling every 10 minutes or so. If it's below the head, I almost always stay home. I was workout-free for five days this week, due to stomach issues, but finally made my way back today for a very light workout. Even though I wasn't 100%, it sure felt good to move. 🙂
Sending healing vibes your way! <3 xoxo
Glad to hear you are on the mend, Sara :)! I think some light cardio is in order for me too today…just to get rid of the lethargy!