Sidelined by a runny nose: Is it OK to exercise when sick?

October 24th, 2007

Now that we have moved into cold and flu season, don’t let a little sniffle ruin your weight loss progress.  An article from WebMD answers the question: Is it OK to exercise when sick?  Sure the last thing you want to do when you don’t feel well is go out and run sprints, however, exercising while sick can sometimes be the best remedy. 

The answer to the question really depends on what ails you.  Before heading to the gym when you aren’t feeling your best, it is a good idea to go through a few checks.  The main rule of thumb is to determine whether or not you have a fever.  If yes, then definitely sit out.  The danger is raising your body temperature while it has already been elevated due to sickness.  This can make your illness even worse.  For aerobic exercise, it is best to use the ‘neck check’.  If symptoms are above the neck (sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing) its OK to exercise; however, if symptoms are below the neck (coughing, body aches, fatigue) it is best to rest until better.

After using the previous checks, it’s best to listen to your body.  Do what you can and if you can’t do it, then don’t.  If you usually run for 45 minutes, try walking instead.  Or use this day for yoga or Pilates.  Make sure you don’t have the above symptoms and feel free to continue your routine.  Remember that exercise is a great way to prevent illness.  Thirty minutes of regular exercise three to four times a week is actually shown to improve immunity. 

Entry Filed under: Healthy Lifestyle Research, Diabetes and Chronic Disease, Fitness and Health, Making Choices