Do you exercise when you're feeling a little/moderately sick?

[Anonymous]

After 12 years or so, I have been regularly going to the gym since October -- like 3-5 times/week and loving it. This week, I've not felt well all week -- no fever but sinus pain, generally weak and snotty. I haven't gone to the gym under the theory that rest is better than strain but I'm wondering if I should have gone anyway. What do you moderate exercisers do? I know the answer from the folks who run in the rain and freezing temperatures but was wondering what the rest of people would do? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I'm one of the rain/sleet/snow outdoor runners, so maybe not who you want to hear from. If I just feel a little run down or have a head cold, I still exercise. Often the run helps clear things out plus the endorphins kick in and I feel better. If it's deep in my chest or I'm achy all over, I skip a run but usually drag myself out for a walk. However, if I did my exercising in a gym I would probably not go. I have been next to someone who was hacking away on the treadmill, and I could practically see the germs making their way to me. Had to escape.
I also make sure I drink plenty of hot water with lemon, make myself chicken broth, and take vitamins D and C.

[Anonymous]

I do some light exercise because I figure I'm going to feel worse the next day and not go at all. So at least I've done something that week.

[Anonymous]

When it's in my head/sinuses I go because I find that working out almost helps clear things up.

[Anonymous]

My doctor says if it's above the neck, it's okay. If it's in the chest or below the waist, no exercise.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input! I'll get back to it tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My doctor says if it's above the neck, it's okay. If it's in the chest or below the waist, no exercise.

+1

I've followed that formula for years, and it's never steered me wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My doctor says if it's above the neck, it's okay. If it's in the chest or below the waist, no exercise.

+1

I've followed that formula for years, and it's never steered me wrong.

Interesting. I just started running in the fall too, and I've kept going through (minor) sicknesses, and it's really helped! I always feel great afterward.

[Anonymous]

I run in outrageous conditions, but do not exercise when I have even the slightest inkling of illness.

I have not been full blown sick in years and I attribute that to immediately getting sleep when I start to feel run down. I make an effort to get 9 hours of sleep for two or so nights when I start to feel under the weather and I'm always able to shake the illness. I also regularly take fit D, C, Magnesium, and Clacium.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do some light exercise because I figure I'm going to feel worse the next day and not go at all. So at least I've done something that week.

This.

I usually exercise every day.

I do have days where I am tired or not feeling well or whatever, and those days I do like 60 minutes of moderate cardio and just don't push myself, or lift weights.

[Anonymous]

For me, it depends. If I feel like I can do the exercise, I'll usually do it - I'm such a habit-oriented person that I don't want to get myself out of the exercise routine. But if I'm really not up for it, I'll skip (or just do a little).

But: I get sick a lot. If I were sick less often, I might cut myself more slack when I was under the weather. And my exercise consists mostly of taking the dog for long walks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, it depends. If I feel like I can do the exercise, I'll usually do it - I'm such a habit-oriented person that I don't want to get myself out of the exercise routine. But if I'm really not up for it, I'll skip (or just do a little).

But: I get sick a lot. If I were sick less often, I might cut myself more slack when I was under the weather. And my exercise consists mostly of taking the dog for long walks.

Maybe this is why you are sick a lot. A slave to your habits despite what your body is trying to tell you. Just a thought.

[Anonymous]

I'm a daily exerciser and I very rarely get sick. I occasionally feel run down, but that's generally because my daughter wakes up at night and wakes me up too.

Usually when I'm feeling just a bit off, I work out. I'll usually tone down whatever I was planning to do - I'll do a 3-mile run instead of a 5-6 miler, or I'll just jump on the arc trainer for 20 minutes instead of my usual 30 minutes + weights. I generally feel better or the same after the workout; if I felt worse, I'd remember that and take a rest day next time I felt sick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do some light exercise because I figure I'm going to feel worse the next day and not go at all. So at least I've done something that week.

This.

I usually exercise every day.

I do have days where I am tired or not feeling well or whatever, and those days I do like 60 minutes of moderate cardio and just don't push myself, or lift weights.

This sounds really unhealthy. I am an avid runner -- 30 to 40 miles a week -- but I always take two rest days a week. Its the key to fitness because your muscles need to rebuild, thats how you get stronger. If you think 60 minutes is a light day, and you don't take any rest days, it sounds really compulsive. Eventually your body will fight back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When it's in my head/sinuses I go because I find that working out almost helps clear things up.

Same here.