Hi everyone! I have TWO questions...
Well, I've decided to get healthy. Not just lose weight, but get healthy and eat better. So, now that I've made this decision, I have TWO problems. BUT I don't want to allow them to hinder me if I can handle the situation right.
First of all, I just started my period...should I wait until it's over to begin my ab routines? I normally have cramps on the first two days.
Secondly, I'm sick. I am in the end stages of a nasty infection in my sinuses and chest. It started about a week ago and I lost my voice. This morning, I woke up with a sore throat again. I'm taking vitamins, otc meds, water and rest to clear it up. Yesterday, I did 3 sets of ten reps of wall push-ups, squats and leg lifts. I felt like I was going to die afterwards...I had a migraine headache (which actually had started the night before...it was off and on) and my ears were ringing. I didn't go outside to walk/jog because it's cold and I didn't want to add to my sickness. So my question is...should I wait until I'm fully recovered from my sickness to begin this exercise program?
Please know that I'm not looking for excuses here. I'm actually really frustrated that I'm having a tough time starting this out. I don't want to lose my motivation by not starting this routine. It's taken long enough for me to get to this point of making the decision to get myself on track. I'm scared that if I don't do some kind of exercises, I'll slip back into being lazy. At the same time, I don't want to do anything that is going to make my sickness worse and cause me to have to wait even longer to get well. Should I do some less strenuous exercises until I'm over the sicklies? If so, what exercises?
Thanks in advance for any input on this!

First thing, I'm not medical at all, so this is just personal advice. I would say on the period issue it's a personal thing. I find abs exercises very soothing during my period and I still do my normal exercise routine at that time of the month.

On the sickness issue, I personally would exercise caution if you are having chest symptoms. If it was just a head cold, I'd be inclined to just listen to your body and do what you are able, but on the chest, I think you'd be wise to keep exercise minimal until the issue is resolved.

Thanks. When I was exercising before, I also found that ab exercises helped when I was on my period. Once I start my routine, I don't plan to stop during that time of the month. I'm just concerned about starting a new thing during my period...

Exercising during your period should actually make you feel better

Exercising hard when your are truly sick with an infection will slow your recuperation. It sounds like you overdid it yesterday. Why don't you try ONE set rather than three for starters and see how you feel?

Mel

I agree with the above posters. Your body was trying to give you signs that you overdid it yesterday, so I'd say don't push yourself so hard until you're feeling better. If you're worried about slacking, maybe just do one set, like Mel suggested, or even half a set if you're feeling really bad but don't want to not excercise. I hope you feel better soon!

I exercise during my period, although I sometimes modify what I do a little if I've got pain. Usually only after trying it to see whether it's OK and deciding it's not, I don't give up without trying before I know!

The only excerise I am aware of that you are not supposed to do during your period are those where your head ends up lower than your knees (mostly yoga positions) However, I've done most of the positions while it has been that time of the month, and I've been fine. I would just give it a shot, and see how you feel after your workout.

I have always found that exercise makes me feel better when I have cramps. A lot better, actually.

The advice I got from my doctor was that it was OK to exercise when all your symptoms are above your neck (runny or stuffed nose, sinus infection, ear infection, sore throat, etc) but not below your neck (fever, chest congestion, etc), so thats what I go with.

Amanda

Hi, just ignore me right now. I new & this is a Test.

That's fine if you exercise at home, but if you go to a gym, pleeeeez keep in mind that we don't want to share everything!

Mel

I'm having the same issue right now. I'm really frustrated because I just got back from visiting family and it's been over 2 weeks since I've gotten some good exercise in. The problem is my mom is a smoker and every time I get back I end up with a bad cough. I can already feel my chest tightening up and I've had a dry cough the last 2 days. I'm afraid it's going end up being something like bronchitis and then who knows how long until I can do cardio. I was only able to do about 15 minutes yesterday morning although I may have just been really tired because I basically slept the rest of the day. Tonight I did my legs routine and felt ok. Tomorrow morning is cardio so we'll see how it goes.

My rule of thumb is that if I don't have a fever I exercise. I usually modify the workout though e.g.: instead of running I will walk briskly, if walking briskly doesn't help I will walk slower... I was told by a nurse that going outside, in the winter, during a cold is actually good for you because of the humidity and dampness, the dryness in the winter inside is hard on your sinuses and lungs...

I have ALWAYS exercises during my period, upside down yoga poses, abs, everything...