Feeling sick, can I still workout?

[MRSchultz]

I need some advice....I have a bad cold that is mainly in my sinus' and my respiratory system. I've tried doing Cathe's videos but end up coughing so hard that my head is just pounding and the pain is terrible. So, I've decided to take it easy for a few days and try to get rid of this, but I'm wondering......is it still OK for me to try to do parts of one of her videos?? Do any of you still workout or give it a rest until you are feeling better?

Thanks in advance for any help. Marcia

 

[Madonna]

Oh boy, that is a hard one. I have worked out before with a chest cold and really regretted it. My throat would be raw from all the heavy breathing from an already irritated throat. Then there have been times that I worked out and it made me feel better. It seemed to loosen up everything. But I would not work out if I had a fever or felt sick. You have to go by how you feel. If you feel like taking it easy for a while, then do it. If you only want to do a portion of Cathe's videos, then do that. I think the body has a hierarchy, if you are sick, the body will work at fixing that instead of muscle repair after a work out.

 

[jgoycoolea]

Like the other poster, sometimes I feel better and sometimes worse when I work out when sick. Usually I'll find aerobics to be harder than strenght training. Probably because you breath harder. If you really really want to do something, strength train with lighter weights or better yet, do some stretching (after a light warm up.) Jeanne

 

[gvaughn]

walking

When I get a real bad cold, I'll switch to walking or a real mild video (not Cathe, but something like NAC, Reebok, Kathy Smith, etc.) for a couple of days, and spend the rest of the time I usually use for working out for resting. I find that I need some movement to feel good and keep my back from cramping up, etc. but that my body needs as much rest as it can get to kick the cold on out of here.

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/pyth.gif Gretchen

 

[kathryn]

I've always heard that if the symptoms are all above the neck, you can workout. IF they are below, you should take a day off. Trouble is, I can't figure out if the throat is above or below ;-) When in doubt, I would take the day off, or do a very low intensity workout (tai chi or yoga, maybe). When you're sick, your body has to use its resources to try to get well, and working out intensely is a strain to the body that can make your illness worse. Best to sit out 1-2 days now than do something that will make the illness drag on for 2-3weeks.

 

[Bobbi]

I read the same thing as Kathryn. Be kind to yourself and don't overdo it!

 

[Marnie]

Hi, I agree with the others. I usually workout as much as possible, and when my body says "no more" - I stop. If I can't do a tape, I take a walk at the very least. That always makes me feel better. And don't forget to drink lots of water!