Are the Sniffles a Good Excuse to Skip a Workout?

I have a miserable cold. Grrr...... It hit me Monday morning and I was not a happy camper! This thing is kicking my butt! More so than colds usually do-or so it seems :/  I'm beginning to think it's getting worse rather than better!!

In hindsight I now realize that I probably made a mistake teaching my classes Monday morning. After so many years of teaching I've become a pro at pulling myself together for that hour or two of classes cuz it's always such a hassle getting a sub instructor. I pop some tylenol, bathe myself in disinfectant, carry more sanitizer so I don't "share the love", and off I go!! I have become much more paranoid about people giving ME germs during this past "Year of the Heart Thing" so out of consideration, if I was even a tiny bit contagious I guess I should have stayed home :) I have an awesome pal who teaches right after me and will happily cover for me when I need her (thanks, MariBeth). I will feel awful (more than I already do!) if she gets sick  :( So enough of my whining-that's not what this post is about-really.

When a short term illness like cold or flu takes you down, should you skip your workout or not? The fitness "rule" has always been: If you're sick from the shoulders up you should be ok to exercise, of course, taking in the germ factor, right?! There's no reason to completely stop working out if you have the sniffles, just back off a little. Unless! you are feeling extremely fatigued! The last thing you want to do it injure yourself because you don't have the energy to exercise properly and safely. To avoid getting out of your habit of working out, push on-just take it easy, workout lighter, maybe cut it short. Drink plenty of liquids and allow yourself some extra recovery time.

Also, if you work out in a gym, make sure you wipe down the equipment after you use it! But you should do be doing that anyway.......  :)

Remember, some illnesses/symptoms-upper respiratory issues, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, etc-will require taking a few days off to recuperate. These illnesses place extra demands on virtually every system in the body. Continuing to work out can prolong the illness!! Never workout with a fever. When you return to your workouts ease up a bit and take it easy-overdoing it could cause you to relapse.

So...moderate exercising is ok when you are under the weather-it may even shorten the duration of your illness if you can continue. And when you are healthy, if you aren't doing it yet-get yourself on a consistent fitness routine. Studies show that regular exercising will actually prevent some illnessness because it boosts your immune system. Just one more reason to be working out on a regular basis, yes??!!

Now excuse me while I snuggle under my special blankie and watch dumb tv shows :)