Exercising illness "out"...??

[pseudo_vegan]

pseudo_vegan's wondering if it's possible to run/exercise illness "out" of oneself...?

This is complete and utter crap, but methinks I've finally got the touch of something icky (no nasty lung gremlins...just a stuffy head and overall sense of "bleh"-ness going on)...not atoll up to par like I was last week...even on Sunday! This "thing" started last yesterday afternoon and made itself pretty obvious this morning (like I said, I'm not SICK sick, but I'm not 100% well, either) so... :no:

Yeah. Previous question. Today is my cardio/ab day and I'm torn between "oh your...body needs 'rest'...or something..." And the possibility of just toughing it out and doing the cardio (or at least the ab work)...something low-impact like stationary bike indoors? Anyone know? Thanks.

:nigel: Not-so-cheers...

[SeaSiren]

If you feel really icky you should rest. Your body is trying to fight off the icky. Excercise will stress the body.

Maybe stretches today? And after warm soup, tea, warm blanket and a good book.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Morticia]

If you're not feeling too bad, I've found that sometimes excercizing will help clear my head when I have a slight cold. Just be willing to quit if you're too tired.

[rainbowmoon]

I read in Shape magazine, I think, that it is alright to exercise with a head cold or stuffy face, but that any fever/chills/stomach issues are a sign to rest.

[Cassiel]

The runner's rule of thumb is that you can run if the symptoms are above the neck (sore throat, head stuffiness, etc) but not if they are below (major chest congestion, throwing up). In my experience, running while I have a cold has made it go away more quickly and made my feel better while I had it, too. Like Morticia said, don't overdo it - your body has a lot of work fighting off the illness as it is, this is not the time to try speed work or push yourself.

[bethanie]

I had the ickies earlier in the week and still do a little. When they were serious I took that as my bodies signal to rest and stayed home from work resting. Then I took off my usual morning workout for another day, though I did my yoga/stretching evening thing. But this morning I felt better enough to jog. And I have to say, to get out in the chill morning air (bundled of course) and get some fresh, germ free air into my lungs...that was nice. And yes, you do sweat out some of the bad stuff I think.

I think one can strike a balance...rest a few and then do cardio when you feel really ready.

B

[xrodolfox]

Hmmm. I do both.

Sometimes when I am feeling like I am coming down with something, especially in my lungs, nothing gets me better than doing a long workout in the pool. I managed not to get sick at all for 5 years with that regimen.

However, lately I have been too damn exausted from my normal life to be able to maintain that level of fitness, so if I feel a bit sick I rest. I sometimes get a bit sicker than with exercise, but at least my body has time to pick itself up.

You need to evaluate your overall level of fitness before you decide to break a cold with more exercise. It isn't easy, but if it works, it works really well.