I've been struggling for the past week to work out because I've been sick. I feel guilty because I haven't gone, and when I try to do anything, I feel sick all over again.

Have any of you struggled with this? What have you done to get around it? Medicine and water isn't helping, and I'm just not sure what to do.

What kind of illness do you have?

If I have a cold/flu and am not a zombie, then I don't mind mild activity, but my thoughts are always to get well as fast as possible and to me resting and when it is time, meaning I don't have a fever and I'm not too weak, I can do activity like walking or whatever. Fresh air, to help me get well. To me getting well is first priority so that I can workout in the near future. I just got over the flu a bit over two weeks ago and after that I started doing my workout again, but I'm slowly building back into a routine. I was sort of out of it for awhile lol.

If I'm sick from something else, not illness related, like I get sick from my BC pills, then I just pull through unless it is really bad. Then I can't bring myself to exercise as nausea has taken over. So, again I just try to do activities like housework and what not, but nothing workout related.

Getting well is important and I don't think you should feel guilty by making it a priority over working out! Just my two cents.

Some people will continue to work out when they don't feel well. I'll admit that I don't. For me, I have a past where I continued working out right up to the weekend I ended up being admitted to a hospital. Now, I'd ignored symptoms about a month prior, but to my own defense they had gone away. Of course, they'd just progressed to a harder to shake illness.

I'm not sure what exercise you're doing, but sometimes even when I'm not feeling enthusiastic, a walk will be okay. No jogging, not even fast walking, just a walk. I can usually be talked into a swim (but only if the weather is warm). However, there's nothing wrong with admitting that you're sick and taking it easy for a few days. Last winter I came down with a flu that was going around. Once I admitted that I was sick, I stopped working out, increased my calories and managed to shake it in half the time as most people who had it.

Now, the only danger in that is in using it as an excuse to do nothing for too long. See, not an easy answer.

I had an ear infection a few weeks ago and I went to the gym the first day. The room starting spinning while I was on the elliptical, I got off, went home, and went back when I felt better

IMO if you have a cold or the flu your body is probably weak from fighting the infection and I'd give it time to heal. Walking probably wouldn't be bad but your body will tell you when it's had enough. Don't feel bad. You want to do the exercises but your body is telling you when enough is enough. As soon as the illness passes just ease back into it. Hope you get well soon.

Thank you all for your responses. Someone asked what type of sickness I have. Basically, I cannot keep food down. I'm either sick to my stomach, nauscious, and rush to the bathroom. I also have polycystic fibrosis. It's a fancy name for having female problems. Being over weight can cause it, and by losing weight I have a better chance in the future to have children.

(sorry if this is TMI for any of you.)

Ahh okay, so it isn't something like the flu then. Hmmm...well I think if you start out with light exercise and why not break it up during the day? Maybe breaking it up into smaller segments means you'll be able to do more without getting horribly sick. Even just walking would probably be great for you on the days you just can't do anything more active.

Can you handle say 10 minutes at a time? Or maybe you could get a personal trainer, someone to help you with your condition and exercise?

I definitely take it easier when I'm sick. I lighten the load but still do activity. Like I'm ill I actually am finally getting over bronchitis and I know exertion will flare it up and make me have to use my inhaler. So today I've been using my wii fit and specifically using the lighter activities instead of cardio but still logging the minutes because it's more then sitting still It makes me feel good that I worked out, and good because I'm allowing myself a break to get better! Hope that helps!

-Cheers- Mira

Thanks for the input. I would use my wii fit too, but unfortunately ate the cord that connects to the sensor bar. I gotta wait until my replacement comes in. lol

I agree with everyone else. Don't feel guilty, ease back slowly when you start to feel better and you will be back on track in no time
I was told by my p.t that its better to take a few days off to let your body fight the infection because if you work out full force it can slow your recovery not only from the illness but from the workout. Your body takes on too much at once and so the healing process slows down.
and the way I see it, when I have the flu especially Im not eating much, so really there are no calories to worry about burning off.. LOL..ok thats probably the wrong way to look at it but it makes me feel better about not working out during my illness. lol

I have been thinking the same thing. I have an extremely bad virus and have been off of work for 2 days. I've found that doing some moderate walking, outside perhaps, helps. If you have a fever, working up a sweat isn't really a good idea. You want to keep your fever down. Even some moderate activity will burn calories, then have some rest. If you're pretty much in bed, lift some water bottles or light weights while you watch TV. Don't strain yourself or you'll get better a lot slower.

Drink lots of fluids (juice and water). Avoid caffiene and drinks that dehydrate you. Eat lots of fruits and cooked veggies while you're sick if you're able. I find that the lack of perservatives is easier on my system when I'm sick.