Down for the Count

Posted on March 27, 2008
Filed Under Commentary |

fluman.jpgI have recently been sidelined from exercise as I battle a never-ending cold. No matter how healthy and fit you are there will come a time when you battle illness. A question that often comes up is “If I am not feeling 100%, when is it okay to workout and when should I take a break?”  It can be difficult to step back from a workout routine, even when you are not feeling well. You know that exercise makes you feel good and you worry that you will lose your motivation the longer you stay away.

Here’s a quick rule of thumb: If you are experiencing  a “head cold” which doesn’t travel below the neck, such as sneezing or a stuffy head, go ahead and lightly workout, giving special attention to staying hydrated. If the symptoms are below the neck, for example a cough, do not workout. If there is a fever present in either case, do not workout.

Continuing to exercise while experiencing a cough or any type of chest congestion can cause it to progress into bronchitis or pneumonia.  Resting if your body is running a fever, is just plain common sense. Although a fever is often beneficial for fighting illness, it is taxing on the body. The last thing you need to do is to add to your body’s stress by putting it through a workout.

The most important factor to keep in mind is to listen to your body and not your ego. Sometimes resting, staying hydrated and letting your physiological system do it’s job of fighting bacteria or a virus is the healthiest choice you can make.

~Kerren Lynch-Gallagher, MS,NCMT,PFT

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