Colds and Congestion

Posts: 120
12/31/12 12:19 P

I let my body tell me what it can handle, and go from there.

I have a chest/sinus infection right going on right now, actually. Yesterday I didn't work out at all. I just felt too blah, achy, and ill in general. This morning I did a lighter, shorter cardio workout than I would normally have done. I just start at a nice slow pace and gradually increase it until my body says "enough!" and then I dial it back slightly and continue.

Personally, I feel like crud for the rest of the day if I don't do my morning workout, so a light workout when I'm not feeling well actually helps me feel better. I haven't noticed any illness sticking around longer than usual, even though I workout generally throughout the illness. BUT the once or twice that I tried to push it even though I was ill, the rest of that day I was completely wiped and miserably sick.

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12/30/12 3:58 P

I agree with the person who posted before me. Do a lighter work-out than normal, and if that still makes you short of breath, give yourself a rest day.

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12/29/12 5:13 P

I rest during the worst part, and then go back to an easier workout if I'm still congested. I was really sick on Thursday with body aches, so I didn't exercise, but on Friday I felt better except for some congestion and being a little tired, so I just did a 3.5 mile run at an easy pace, whereas I would have done a 5-6 mile run at a faster pace if I hadn't been sick. Today I'm going to do a kettlebell workout, but keep it shorter and with a lighter bell than usual.

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12/29/12 2:04 P

for me I keep working out like I would. I feel SO MUCH better afterwards almost like I am sweating the cold out. I don't seem to get it as bad as others seem to around me. Of coarse I also drink TONS of water, sometimes add in EmergenC drink mix as well.

Beckie

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12/29/12 1:58 P

You should definitely take time off for any illness that involves your lungs, chest congestion or sinusitis.

Source:
www.runnersworld.com/health/should-you-run
-when-youre-sick?page=single

This article says you can run through minor head colds (sneezing and runny nose), but I always find that resting and just focusing on really good nutrition helps my cold go away much quicker than if I try to fight through it at the gym.

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12/29/12 1:19 P

Any tips or advice on running or exercising with head/sinus congestion and/or chest congestion? I'm coming down with a cold, and am wondering whether I should just tone down the intensity of my running and workouts, or skip them altogether until I feel better. Any thoughts, suggestions, personal experiences, etc. are greatly appreciated. Thank you!