What's your "policy" for exercising when sick?

I have an upper respirtory infection. My sinuses and ears are clogged, and I'm also coughing up a lot of mucus. I'm on antibiotics so it should be clearing up soon, but I feel in no shape to exercise. I thought about just walking on the treadmill today, at a slow pace, just so I'd get some type of activity.

What do you do when you're sick? (not just under the weather, but full blown sickness)

I had what you have. I felt really bad for about a week. Then I did not go to the gym. I stayed home that week. I still did some work, though. Washed, primed, and painted the kitchen walls. Regular housework of vacuuming and floor washing. And a daily 1 mile walk. Just a regular, no huffing or puffing walk with the dogs. My husband takes one dog, I take the other. It's a little bit strenuous, because they aren't trained, and pull us all over the road. I'd feel really bad upon arising, but as the morning and activity wore on, I'd feel better and better. Back to the gym the next week, but I could tell my endurance was down.

My rule of thumb is that if the cold symptoms are above the neck it's OK to work out *at home or outside.* Moderate exercise, esp. cardio, often helps me feel better. Chest colds, though, don't tend to respond positively to exercise, and labored breathing can be even more labored after a cardio workout. I never work out with a flu or fever.

Why at home or outside? IMO, it's as rude to go to the gym when you (general "you") are sick as it is for you to pee in the pool. No matter how careful you are about coughing into a tissue and wiping down the equipment, you're just going to spread your cold to others. Not cool.

//b strong

Thanks for the replies. I do feel functional as the day is going on. This infection is mostly upper respirtory, in my head. But I do have a productive cough, yuck! I spent the morning doing house work. Taking the tree down, cleaning, vaccuuming ect. I was thinking of when my younger one goes down for a nap, talking a slow pace walk on the treadmill. I have weight loss goals I'm trying to reach by a spring trip we are taking, and the thought of missing out on work out days really annoys me!

I don't workout when I'm sick. Your body needs rest. The more you don't rest, the longer your cold will last. I'm all about getting the rest, shortening the cold, and moving on to workout when I feel better.

I worked out Tuesday when I was just starting to get sick and I totally felt it. I tried thursday and it was rough. I had a sinus/coughing thing thats clearing up now. I worked out today and it was easier. Id think maybe a walk wouldnt hurt but aerobics got me very short of breath.

I ended up playing the Wii, which for me and what I play is not a super strenuous workout. I also did weights and floor exercises for toning. But skipped the hard core cardio. I didnt push myself but I didnt miss a workout, so I feel good.

I don't workout when I am sick. If I do than it will take longer to get over and might even get a worse. I take a break for a day or two until I start to feel better.