Advice on restarting exercise when sick?

[crispini]

I think I am fighting off a sinus infection or just a severe cold. On Saturday I felt so bad I skipped all of the Xmas Eve celebrations and stayed in bed. On Sunday I managed to get out of bed long enough to go to Christmas dinner, and then went home. Monday I just took it easy around the house. Yesterday I decided to go to yoga class and I was just completely hammered. Lightheaded, dizzy, nauseous, the whole nine yards. I took it really easy during the class, though, and managed to do about half the poses (usually I can manage ALL of them).

I guess my question is -- I know I should take it easy, listen to my body, yadda yadda. But how do I know how much of this is "I'm still sick" and how much of it is just normal tiredness from basically being in bed three days. I don't like to baby myself. I don't have time for that shite! :P

[politicat]

1. I think I'm hearing I'm still sick....

You're nauseous and dizzy and thinking you're just tired? No, that's your body saying "give it a rest!" You're not babying yourself if you're abstaining from exercise while your body is trying to recover from an infection - you're helping your body heal.

Too much exercise is just as bad as not enough, and exercising while sick can prolong the illness - not to mention since you're going out in public to exercise, spreading it around to others - and make recovery harder.

If you don't have time to be sick, you don't have time to prolong it. Rest and heal and see your doctor (because sinus infections often require assistance in mending) and let her give you exercise advice. And if you don't feel well, you should stop.

[crispini]

2. Damn, you're right.

I *am* still sick. :(

Although to be fair I should add that it's a hot yoga class, so it's pretty normal to feel nauseous and dizzy when you're just beinning. I felt AWFUL during the class for the first two weeks, but FANTASTIC after the class. Actually, there's a clue right there. Yesteday I felt awful during the class and awful after the class.

Thanks for the good advice. I'll go to the Dr. if I'm not feeling better soon. I just hate seeing the Dr., all he ever does is give me antibiotics. Maybe I'll go to my herbalist first. :D

[wildeyed]

3. Try a neti pot for the sinus infection if you don't want to do

antibiotics. You can buy a wash to put in it that includes goldenseal which should help kill the bacteria. Or do both :) Sinus infections can be really nasty and painful.

When I am really sick, I don't work out. If I am partially sick, or on the mend, I do gentle yoga at home; Seated postions, gentle inversions, lots of breathing. That seems to get my immune system back on track and some of the poses are helpful for breaking up congestion. Hot yoga classes are probably too strenuous for a sick person, at least if they are anything like the type I take :D

[crispini]

5. You know, I've looked at the neti pots at my yoga studio

but honestly, the whole idea grosses me out. How long did it take you to get used to it?

Yeah, the hot yoga was a little too intense, even only doing half the poses. I'll try doing some easy poses at home, that sounds like a good idea. Thanks! :hi:

[wildeyed]

7. It is a lot easier than it looks.

Sometimes I get that feeling like when water goes up your nose at the pool, but not always. And it really clears out congestion. I bought one last year during a particularly nasty cold, and it gave me so much relief, I have been using it regularly since. I believe it also helps avert colds if you use it diligently right at the beginning, although I have not seen any studies claiming that. Also nice during allergy season.

Hope you are feeling better today :hi:

[MissMillie]

4. my suggestion: start slowly

maybe just get dressed and take a walk around the block and see how you feel.

I know it's hard to hold back. I just spent 2 weeks following surgery doing nothing... one week after getting the ok to get back to workouts, I have the head cold from hell. I haven't left the house since Sunday, and for the past 2 days I've done nothing but cough and sneeze and blow my nose.

Don't expect to be able to go back to where you were. You'll get there quickly enough, but give your body a chance to easy into it.

[crispini]

6. Thanks, yes, it is hard, isn't it?

I guess that's a good sign, that I *like* exercise and miss it! There was a time when that wasn't true! :D

[w8liftinglady]

8. my rule of thumb has always been..

'above the neck"...i.e-head colds,etc-stick to the workout as best as i can
"below the neck"-chest cold,gastrointestinal problems...and i'll include fever-back waaaaayyyy off.If you are febrile,I'd say stop until your fever has subsided.Make sure you are fully hydrated.gentle cardio,and nothing too taxing.I'm a nurse,and a hard-core weightlifter.There's no shame in backing off,believe me.