[rainbowstripe]

Hey lovely people!

I woke up this morning with a bit of a sore throat and a headache. I'm drinking lots of water and I even ate a mandarin, which I usually wouldn't go near, but thought the vitamin C might help a bit.

I'm going away on Wed morning to Melbourne, Australia for a short holiday (I live in New Zealand) so I am desperate for this cold to not set in.

Just wanted to ask whether I should tone down the exercise a bit for today and tomorrow (Mon and Tues)? I've read things that say that exercising can exacerbate illnesses and make them worse and run you down, and I've also read that continuing exercise can help rid your body of the illness.

I'm also very aware of the fact that while I'm away (3 nights/4 days) I won't get to do any regular/scheduled workouts and will be relying on walking around the city and avoiding public transport and so I'm hesitant to not exercise while I can, especially as I'm only 2 weeks into being on plan!

Ideas? Also sorry if there are other threads about this, I found a couple but some were contradictory!

[caseygail21]

Listen to your body. If you are exhausted and achy I would suggest to rest up so you will feel better when it comes time for your vacay. However, if you are feeling up to it, I'm sure some light yoga/pilates/stretching would be fine. Just take it easy and listen to what your body is telling you. Don't go overboard. I hope you feel better soon! Why is it it always seems like we get sick right before big plans?

[rainbowstripe]

Thanks caseygail21, I'm not feeling too bad but I'm not sure. I do feel more tired than usual but that could be due to the fact I was woken up at 4am this morning by my boyfriend leaving to go on holiday.

And you're right, it's always right before important things that sicknesses make themselves known! So frustrating.

I think I'll see how I feel when I get home from work. I've never really done any yoga or pilates but was just thinking of going on the stationary bike for 20/30 mins with no incline or anything so it's not overly exerting. Either that or Wii Fit! I never feel like Wii Fit is really much of a workout anyway!

[misstraveller]

Working out even lightly if I am sick, always makes me sicker and takes me longer to recover... buyer beware Listen to your body and test it. If it doesn't work at least you know for next time.

[rainbowstripe]

Thanks misstraveller. I had a little laugh at that, just out of pure frustration, but you're completely right, there is no way to tell how my body will react unless I just do it! If I get sicker, then I won't exercise tomorrow. And if I stay the same.. well then I won't feel so bad about having skipped a workout!

I really hope it doesn't make me sicker! It's only a budding illness so would be horrible to make something not that bad into something terrible!

My plan is light (and I mean really light...) exercise and an early night.

[benchmarkman]

I work out even harder when I'm sick because it makes me feel sooooo much better. If your congested or heave a headache it helps clear that up and it will give you energy. It's up to you though but I know I feel 2000% better after exercise when I don't feel good.

[stellarosa27]

It honestly depends on how I feel. Sometimes if I'm congested I know my body isn't going to tolerate exercise, especially if I *feel* exhausted. Other times I only have a mild headache and the exercise gets the blood flowing.

It all depends on how you feel. If you think you have the extra energy, go for it, just keep it at some light exercise. Maybe walking on the treadmill or the bike, like you said. The Wii Fit is a harder work out than you expect, I think. It all depends on what you put into it.