So I?ve been out of commission the past few days because I have a little visitor; called a cold! UGH getting sick stinks. I?m writing this week to fill you in on my own personal philosophy of working out when you are sick. Personally, I don?t like to. Your body is clearly saying, ?I?m tired and need REST?. Why is it that people feel the need to work out when they are sick? Do they feel better? Are they addicted? Is it ego driven? I think strength is giving your body what it needs when needed. When I?m feeling tired and sluggish working out doesn?t seem like the most appropriate option for me. The point is that everyone is different and we should all be listening to our bodies!
People usually get ill when their immunity is down and their body is tired so why push yourself harder? To sweat it out? Being healthy and actively taking care of yourself is the reason we get into the gym day in and day out. So why if we are sick would we not take care of our bodies in the same regard? Why not just get the rest you need and then hit the gym when your body feels good.
A study done by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) indicated that exercising moderately while you have a cold doesn?t affect the severity or duration of your cold. The study also showed that moderate exercise while you have a cold does not compromise the immune system. Before this study there was nothing to demonstrate whether working out while suffering from a cold would reduce or intensify the symptoms. What is widely known is that exercise and staying in shape can prevent sickness and help your immune system. The average person gets sick 6 times a year??I repeat 6 times a year! I was shocked when I read this statistic. I hate being sick and cant imagine being sick 6 times a year. I tend to get sick only 2 times a year and trust me that?s plenty!
Many doctors like to suggest the rule of thumb known as the ?neck rule?. Now I am sure you are reading this with a confused look on your face asking, what is the neck rule? Well it?s simple. If your symptoms are all located above your neck (stuffy nose, scratchy throat, headache), you most likely have a head cold and can therefore can feel free to workout at a moderate level. If, on the other hand, you have a fever, congestion in your chest and lungs, or feel achy, it is probably a sign of flu, bronchitis, or another more serious ailment, and you should rest up. Most importantly, if you have a fever you should not exercise at all as it can make you more vulnerable to dehydration and other more severe ill effects.
Overall my personal opinion on working out when you are sick is to avoid it and get rest. This is what your body is asking for. But it is important to know that if you have a head cold and feel you have to get your workout in that you will not make it worse. Just keep it light to moderate, for example if you?re a runner you should switch to a slow walk, or if you like to lift weights, choose lighter weights and keep the workout short.
I don?t plan on working out until this sluggish feeling is gone because I feel exhausted. Aside from how I feel I don?t want to spread germs and sneeze all over the gym!
Source: http://blog.ctnews.com/carozza/2012/07/17/sick-of-being-sick/
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