Exercising when sick?

[shadewolf]

So does anyone exercise much when they are sick? I'm still sick from last week's bout of flu-or-whatever-it-is. I went back to work monday and gained a couple pounds since i didn't manage to drink enough and then had to go home early tuesday as i lost my voice (bad for working as phone tech support) and my sinuses are real bad. i got some hefty anti-biotics this morning which seem to be helping though they knocked me out all day and i lost a pound during my nap. but through all of this i haven't been able to get out to the gym. walking around the grocery store to pick up the essentials is all i've been able to do. i've been kicking about the idea of trying a half hour at the gym to see how it goes, but i'm not sure how good of an idea that is - ie will it compromise my immune system too much and extend my sick time? or will it accelerate my recovery? what does everyone think?

[Brook]

Re: Exercising when sick?

Just did that.

Bad idea.

Generally the rule I follow is that if I'm just sick with a head cold (from the neck up. LOL), I'll work out. If I'm sick from the neck down (chest cold) - I wait it out. Working out with a chest cold knocks me on my butt and absolutely sets me back a few days in the recovery process.

I pushed it just yesterday and was reminded why it's a bad idea. Lemme paste what I posted elsewhere for ya. ....LOL

It (the treadmill) was calling to me, FG. It was. I could hear it calling to me from down the hall and it sorta sounded like 2big saying "Ohhhhh poser-Treadmill-Treckie-who's-done-NOTHING...youuuuuuuuu big sisssssssssssssy."

I couldn't take it. I threw on my shoes, grabbed my Ipod, stuffed my pocket full of Kleenex's and down I went.

My incline varied from 6 to 11%. My speed varied from 3.5mph to 5mph. My heart rate topped out at 168. - It didn't get that high because of the speed or the incline - but because of the coughing spasms wracking my body while I was trying to keep my feet underneathe me and praying it didn't shoot me off the end of that thing while I was choking. I lasted 32 minutes out of sheer frustration and stubborness before the last coughing spasm had my head feeling like it was going to explode. I cussed, swore, pouted, whined....and came home - still choking and unable to catch my breath- only to find myself locked out of my apartment by my rotten little kids. I had to walk around to the outside of the building - all sweaty and still in the midst of a giant coughing spasm - into the <10 degree cold and come in through the patio. Needless to say, I was NOT happy. It took me 10+ minutes to get my coughing to settle down enough to talk.

Ugh.

Yep. It kicked my @ss.

My vote? Get healthy first...and know that some of us are suffering right along with ya!

~Brook

[Starmaker]

Re: Exercising when sick?

Poor Brook (hug)

[Terry]

Re: Exercising when sick?

I guess Brook said it all!

Feel better both of you!!

[cleochatra]

Re: Exercising when sick?

I don't think a person should exercise when sick, either. I know that when I'm sick, I have a very difficult time having enough for my immune system and trying to work muscles. It's one of those circumstances where, if you're really feeling the fatigue, rest. Your body knows best.