I find that the most important thing for me is to keep the habit of working out. It's important for me to keep that workout 'slot' available for myself. When I'm sick, I tend to fall behind on things. So, when I'm feeling better, I will spend my workout time trying to 'catch up' on things that didn't get done when I wasn't feeling well. So, what I do to keep my 'slot' open is a walking video (I like Jessica Smith). They vary in length from 10 to 30 minutes. Or, I do QiGong (I like Lee Holden). If I have a bit of energy, the walking video is what I choose. If I'm sick, I find QiGong to be rather healing. My workout 'slot' is actually about an hour, but I don't worry about how much time I'm dedicating to fitness when I'm ill. For me, it's more about just keeping the habit of putting my fitness first for a part of each day. If I'm feeling up to it, I sometimes do one of Cathe's stretches later in the day. I find that it relieves some of the aches, pains, and stiffness that end up being a side effect of resting. I hope your symptoms were temporary. If they are long term and you haven't seen a doctor yet, please do so. There's no use in living with those symptoms if you have a diagnosable/treatable condition. I do find that working out (lightly) does seem to promote faster recovery. The walking, QiGong, and/or stretching don't usually even require that I change into workout clothes. I usually wear 'slop' clothes such as yoga pants and a T-shirt or P.J.s when I'm not feeling well. They aren't the sexiest outfits, but they do the job just fine for the workouts I do when ill. After I think I've recovered from an illness, I like to do Jessica Smith's Fusion Strength (steady state cardio with light toning type strength) from her Feel Good Fusion DVD if I'm not confident in how recovered I actually am. Or, If I'm pretty confident, I do a shorter (premixes are great for this) or easier (ex. no risers under step or use lighter weights) Cathe workout to get me back into the groove without pushing myself too hard. If the shorter/easier Cathe workout turns out that it wasn't enough for me, I add a short yoga DVD at the end for a bit of strength, flexibility, and mobility to make my workout feel more complete and to make sure that my body is ready to move full force the next day with a regular Cathe workout. I found that a 'test day' to make sure I'm recovered is very important for my health. My stubbornness and will power is often stronger than my body, so I have been known to push myself too hard too soon, causing me to be sick again. I don't do that anymore. I take that one day to 'test' my body and pay attention to what it's telling me. If I feel good after the workout, I go back to my normal workouts. If I don't, I back off. If your symptoms are chronic and your doctors have said that they don't limit your ability to workout, then, I will tell you from my own personal experience what I do for safety. I don't use risers for most step routines and I only use one riser on each side for routines that I've mastered and only when I'm having a good day. I lift heavy only when my husband is home. When he's not, I still strength train, but I do more reps with lighter weights. I listen to my body (that one was the hardest adaptation, and I still struggle with it at times). I do yoga, stretching, QiGong, Classical Stretch/Essentrics, go for a hike, etc. on my recovery days, and I now take two recovery days, rather than one, because that's what my body needs. Observe the times of days that you have the most symptoms and avoid working out at that time. For me, I have to work out in the morning, as my neuromediated syncope symptoms worsen throughout the day. See if temperature is affecting your symptoms. I have to crank the air conditioning if I want to get through a workout with no dizzy spells. Also, a lot of people can do their workout before eating. I am not one of those people. If I haven't put some calories in my body, I will pass out during a workout. If, when I start my day, I can tell that I'm having a bad day, I stick with steady state cardio, rather than HIIT, 'blasts', intervals, circuit, etc. Be willing to be flexible. Read your body and do what it needs. There's no use ignoring it or arguing with it (believe me, I've tried), as it will do what it needs in order to protect itself. My body will shut down if I ignore it's warnings. If your symptoms are 'midlife', well, I hope somebody has some suggestions, because I'm still feeling my way through that one.
I hope you are feeling better.
