Working out with a cold.

[Evernude]

Recently, the "experts" said that you can still work out even when you have a cold. They claim that it will make you feel better faster. The last time I did it, I got sicker than ever. My simple cold turned into a nasty sinus infection and coughing that lasted for weeks. Never again.

[Evernude]

Recently, the "experts" said that you can still work out even when you have a cold. They claim that it will make you feel better faster. The last time I did it, I got sicker than ever. My simple cold turned into a nasty sinus infection and coughing that lasted for weeks. Never again.

[maliakei]

I voted No. Don't have the energy. Guess it all depends on the kind of workout?

For instance, I wouldn't go swimming -- a long hot bath would be best.

Living in HI the majority of the year helps a great deal because of the warm climate, however, the body does need its rest. Simple old-fashioned remedies Grandma used work for me.

So...
fight the first signs off with a hot bowl of chicken soup, lots of orange juice & water (or a hot toddy), and get lots of sleep!!

My colds often turned into bronchitis, pleurissy, or pnemonia -- so I say NEVER AGAIN too!

[nakedjohn]

I kind of agree if I am working out by myself. But do not think it would be fair to work out in a group to pass on my cold to others.

[LamontCranston]

I read Runner's World mag for several years while I was in the habit of running most days.

The guidance is that it's OK to work out when the cold is from the neck up. When you're sick from the neck down, a day off is best.

Like cold remedies, I imagine there are as many opinions on this one as there are people. Do what works for you, everyone's mileage varies.

[Fuzzy Nuts]

I dont get a cold very often - maybe once every two to three years but when I get one its a dandy and it really lays me out. For about a week its enough to just get out of bed let alone going to gym to exercise. Even if I did go to do workout it would be a poor effort and I would be just wasting my time and energy.

More important it would be not fair to other members of gym to share my cold with them.

[toadfish327]

I continue to do my workouts, even when I have a cold. I have a good one right now, thanks to my daughter bringing it home from school. I even ran my regular two miles in less than 24 hours after having a colonoscopy. Having that done teaches one to have no modesty whatsoever!

[nudeM]

Posted by toadfish327: <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I even ran my regular two miles in less than 24 hours after having a colonoscopy. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I thought you already had the 'runs' while preparing for a colonoscopy. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rolleyes2.gif

I voted no, don't have the energy. It would depend on how sick I am. If laid up, then I'll take some time away from a workout.

Usually when I call in sick, I already have
other plans scheduled. Oops, now I'm caught. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/sneaky.gif

[hairyhomer]

I voted yes, as I mainly run for my work out and always outside, in rain, snow, sleet, and sometimes we even get sunshine http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif. As long as I am not running a fever I will run at least 4milse and do about 20 chin ups just to stay in shape so I can crawl up in attics and underneath the customers house so I can rewire them. Being the slimmest one at work I always get to do the tightest crawls, maybe some day I will get to old to crawl, nah what fun would an easy job be. http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/tongue.gif

HairyHomer http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/cool4.gif

[emsdude]

I have had acold and went and did my work out and felt much better. I also think baking in the sauna also help too. Have to fight back, drink lots of water and oj.

[nacktman]

I try to "workout" regardless of a cold, be it in the gym or garden (or at my buddy's butcher shop - if you think you've ever had a workout, come spend the day hefting sides of beef and carving on them ... then you'll know what a workout really is [and I thought I knew from over twenty years of football - I learned different!]).

However, the two times in my life I had the flu working out was out of the question. It would not have been a pretty sight - and we'll leave it at that.

[Evernude]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by nacktman:
...if you think you've ever had a workout, come spend the day hefting sides of beef and carving on them ... then you'll know what a workout really is [and I thought I knew from over twenty years of football - I learned different!]). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

So...if I were a high school football coach, I'd have my players work in a butcher shop all summer. Heft it, hack it, eat it. They would be huge!!!

I must say that not working out is very frustrating. I just got started again after a bad cold, and it feels good to get back into it. So far, so good.

[Fuzzy Nuts]

why workout in a gym and expose everyone there to your cold?

[puffledud]

If your cold is just a runny nose or your symptoms are just above the neck it is OK to continue exercising. However, you may need to slow down a little. But, if you are having more serious symptoms like a fever or cough or muscle achiness, the below the neck symptoms, then take the day off.

Run On!

[kphoger]

i still believe that getting outside in the fresh air is some of the best medicine.

[RichNH]

I replied no, I don't believe in punishing myself. What I might do is go to the gym and sit in the sauna for a while as it helps with congestion. But if I'm really sick, I stay home and pity myself...

[Tampanude]

I vote yes! In my experience anyway.

As long as your body is used to activity as part of a regimine, and not under fever conditions as stated earlier and not in close proximity to others.

The sluggish feeling is your body already working hard to combat the intrusion but as long as you fuel up with fluids and nutritional foods high in vitamins, (not pills) your body will work hard to eliminate the cold through adrenaline and sweat.
It is also very important to allow enough down time afterward to allow your body to process it all.

[Naturist Mark]

As long as it's just a cold, and not a fever or flu I find exercise beneficial, it usually clears up my breathing and makes me feel better.

-Mark

[Nu]

Awhile ago, I read somewhere, that one should start a workout when they had a cold.
Then, after a few minutes, determine how they were feeling-if not worse, carry on.
If worse, of course, cease the workout immediately.

[Ken Palmer]

When and if I get a cold, I tend to stay home because I am mostly resting in bed attempting to regain my energy. But another reason is I don't want to possibly infect others nearby who also are working out. Just my point of view.

Ken Palmer


<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Evernude:
Recently, the "experts" said that you can still work out even when you have a cold. They claim that it will make you feel better faster. The last time I did it, I got sicker than ever. My simple cold turned into a nasty sinus infection and coughing that lasted for weeks. Never again. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[nakeduni]

It depends on the cold. Not if it drops to your chest. When I was young I could ignore colds. Now I wait about three days after catching a cold, more if it turns to bronchitis. Aerobic exercises seem to help while keeping warm. It seems to help clear my head and lungs.

[RichNH]

Since this note is about colds, I'm going to offer a plug. There's a product on the market now called Zicam. It's a nasal gel designed to kill the virus that causes the cold. It works great. I started showing cold symptoms Friday morning and immediately bought this at the local CVS, by Saturday evening the symptoms were gone. Now I'll state right here and now, the sooner you use this after you start to feel like you are getting a cold, the better it works. If you already have a full blown cold, it's not going to be anywhere near as effective, but it will still help some.

Give it a shot.

Rich

[Running Bear]

Colds and flu are all bacterial/virus infections and cannot be caught from environmental cold.
When you are ill your body resistance is low but physical activity can aid healing providing the body is fit enough to take the strain.
I always exercise off illness unless I am really too poorly to get out of bed.
Can you see the Dr appointment?
[DR] "hello sir can I help you?"
[ME] "I have this cold"
[DR] "Does it affect your activity?"
[ME] "I feel a little breathless after my one hour yoga, one hour run and half an hour swim which is my daily routine"
[DR] "next!"
Have just completed a naturist hike and a climb with a wheezy chest and to date I lived through the night and feel invigorated! Does headstand!!!

[MJ_KC]

The only advice I have had from a doctor about this is to cut back some, but do not stop. Just don't go to the point where you feel fatigued, because your body has enough to deal with already.

[NormallyNude]

If it's 'just' a cold and I don't have an achy body, I'll continue to run and swim. Usually a good swim workout kicks the cold quickly.
I thought there was a study awhile back that said that elevating your body temperature (caused naturally be excersizing) would kill of some of the germs that cause colds. They have a very limited temperatue range that they can live in, so if you do a hard workout it can kill of the germs. I do follow this rule, and have very few colds, and have only got the flu once in the past 10 years (knock on wood)

[ktmndst84]

i think its best to sweat a cold out by doing cardio, works for me