Being sick and exercising

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2/10/13 11:32 A

thanks for all the great responses. I am smart enough to know not to go to the gym if I'm contagious. I was referring more to having a head cold, stuffy nose, sore throat, body aches, etc. I currently have congestion, but did okay when I went to the gym today.

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2/10/13 10:36 A

I try not going to the gym if I'm sick...as the previous poster mentioned...I don't want to expose others to anything contagious, etc., but that doesn't mean I can't do something at home...I usually try to listen to my body. If I'm feeling real run down I try to rest. Otherwise I'll try some exercise...maybe just at a lower intensity.

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2/10/13 10:21 A

I'd like to mention one thing - you are not working in a vacuum. If you are sick and possibly contagious, do not go to a gym and risk exposing others.

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2/10/13 10:17 A

I do not. I think it's a bad idea to waste the energy that should be going to healing myself by lifting weights and running on a treadmill. I mean, if I just have a stuffy nose, yeah, I'll go. But if I have a sinus headache, I'm aching, my pulse is faster or slower than normal or I can't breath as well I'll typically go home and do some yoga instead. Or qi gong. I'll also meditate and focus on my breathing.

I'm an oriental medicine major and we see all of these lower impact exercises as a way to cultivate qi (so long as we're not so deficient all we can think about is sleeping.) This qi can become all sorts of things, but most importantly in this situation it can support our wei qi. Wei qi is, quite simplified, our immune system. It's a way to resist stress and illness, and a way to fight it if we do develop it.

Eat well, do some lower impact exercises with focus on breath and be mindful of what your body is telling you. It will let you know when you can get back to the gym. ;)

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2/10/13 9:26 A

Usually, I try to force myself to do it, as it does help clear the clog, so to speak.
This latest bout though, I haven't worked out in nearly two weeks T_T; no fun... and I feel nasty -_-; the most I've done was long walks
Hoping it goes away soon, though at this point, I'll probably not start exercising until I go home (and get over jet lag... and this sickness, if its still around).
Also, a good rule is if you're on heavy meds (antibiotics, etc), its best not to force yourself too hard.

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2/10/13 9:05 A

from someone who just went thru this, and did a lot of googling (lol) here is a great rule... if you are sick from the neck up, exercise is fine, and some say helps you to feel a lot better. Sick from the neck down (bronchitis, flu, gastro etc) do not exercise. You could get sicker for longer.

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2/10/13 8:58 A

Doing cardio clears my sinuses, so I run anyways.

As for gym going, I work at the gym and I do not allow myself to take sick days (but I never get sick anyways), having a cold should not hinder any strength training efforts.

If you are feeling bodily aches however, you should stay home.

Edited by: ZORBS13 at: 2/10/2013 (08:58)

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2/10/13 8:55 A

When you are ill, do you still go to the gym? If so, how do you motivate yourself to do it? And when is it too sick to go? I have a cold right now and I'm miserable, but I've still been trying to exercise. I really just want to know if it is helping or hindering my recovery.

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