Why am I catching every "bug" even though I'm exercising regularly...

[valkirsch]

Anyone's advice appreciated!

I been exercising regularly for a while now, including cardio 5-6 times per week and weight training at least one body part per day. I eat clean, get plenty of sleep, etc. For some reason, I've been sick a lot this year. Nothing serious, thank god, but I always seem to have a sore throat, bad cold, uri, and I'm now getting over the flu.

As a high school teacher, I know I'm prone to things, but what really bothers me is that I was sick over Thanksgiving and for days afterwards. Then after my week long Christmas break, I came down with the flu this past Monday, and I just got back to work!

My doctor thinks this is totally normal. I had a great report at my last physical, etc. Thank goodness, my husband doesn't catch my bugs. But as you can imagine, each time I'm sick, that's at least another week away from the gym and the treadmill. This is very frustrating!

The only theory I can come up with is that the New York weather has been erratic, but can temperature changes really make one sick?

-Valerie

 

[valkirsch]

RE: Why am I catching every

Oh, and I forgot to mention..
I don't have children, so that's not it either.

-Valerie

 

[CathydsRNA]

RE: Why am I catching every

Winter is cold and flu season and you probably just picked up something from somebody. Your resistance can go down for various reasons such as not getting enough sleep and over exercising and may make you more prone to catching something but you still need to come in contact with an infectious agent first. Remember to wash your hands more frequently during cold and flu season as viruses can linger on surfaces that you might be touching and remember don't touch your hands to your mouth, nose or eyes. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[hippahips]

RE: Why am I catching every

>The only theory I can come up with is that the New York
>weather has been erratic, but can temperature changes really
>make one sick?

Based on experience, yes. I live down here in Dallas, where the winters are relatively mild. But the temps can be quite erratic. It can fall from the 60s to the 40s in a matter of hours. Or it can be in the 30s for a couple of days then back in the 60s after that. I become so prone to colds when this happens.

Pinky

 

[Bobbi]

RE: Why am I catching every

Hi, Pinky! That happens to me too. I used go years without ever getting much more than sniffles occasionally. Over the past few years it seems every cold snap produces a cold. Fortunately, I have only had the flu once in many years and the colds are more annoying than anything.

I have read that high intensity exercise can serve to supress the immune system. High mileage runners can often experience many respiratory infections so make sure you get lots of rest along with your exercise. I don't have to tell you to hydrate and eat well! I read with the 1st graders in my son's class and sharing a book with a myriad of snot nosed kids who wipe it off on their little hands and sneeze (with spray) before the next child comes and grabs the book, well... I run for the sink after every reading group and keep my hands away my face. High schoolers may not be quite so icky as 1st graders but it's gotta be close! Wash your hands frequently and know your immune system will settle in. In fact, it's probably better than the average Joe's. I know Sam's teacher has a high tolerance after years of exposure. I think the times when it gets chilly in generally warm climates are hard becasue we kick on the heat and germs flourish and wreak havoc but thankfully, it warms back up. By the time you read this, your immune system will have conquered all invaders and you'll remain healthy and strong through the rest of the cold season!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver

 

[t_jania]

RE: Why am I catching every

Try washing your hands more often. Before and after going to the bathroom, after touching anything a student touched... do not touch your face with your hands unless you're freshly washed. Your hands are the most likely suspect in your frequent illnesses. Wash wash wash!!! And keep Purell hand sanitizer with you if you can't get to a sink to wash. Remember also to take your paper towels with you to open the bathroom door so you don't touch the dirty handle and recontaminate your hands. AND!! Never use the blow dry option for your hands. Anything on the floor is kicked up into your face with those dryers.

If you feel something coming on, I highly recommend a product called Airborne. It's an effervecent tablet with vitamins, herbs and minerals that can stave off an illness when taken as directed. If you already have the bug, I recommend taking the Airborne in conjunction with Cold-Eeze.

 

[kathryn]

RE: Why am I catching every

You may be overexercising. Intense exercise can weaken the immune system.

Getting ill over vacation is actually quite common. I read something about your immune system kicking into high gear during stressful times (like work), then when there is a break, it takes a break as well!

 

[cinnttu92]

RE: Why am I catching every

My two cents;

-I drink a lot of green tea
-Eat foods enriched with Vitamin C
-Take 500mg of vitamin C a day (along with my multi-vitamin) in winter months
-wash my hands all the time!!!!!!!!!

I have only had one little cold this year and that was the week before Thanksgiving and I think that was from running outside when it was a little to cold. I also have 2 little ones which one is in mother's day out 2 days a week. Neither one of them has been sick yet, but I wash their hands all the time (and use the anti-bacterial wipes) and give them extra vitamin C in the winter months with their multi-vitamin.