What if You Have a Cold?

  • I've got something going on. I'm not sure it's from the weather or what, but it's terrible. I've haven't changed anything in my routine really, but I was wondering if I should? Like, skip some workouts to rest or anything. I feel fine except one or two things (don't want to be gross).

    Kind of a dumb question, but it boils down to this: should diet/exercise routine change because of a small cold?
  • I exercise if I have a cold. If I can get out of bed and move around, I workout.
  • ^, i had a chest infection this weekend and i found that i craved carbs at the height of my sickness.
  • If I'm really feeling sick I take a nap instead of working out, because if I don't rest I tend to be sicker, longer, and can drive my already fighting body further into the pits. So if it is more than just the sniffles I might take a day or two off and focus on rest and lowering my physiological and mental stress.
  • Research shows that light to moderate exercise will increase your immune systems strength while too much exercise will impair it.

    Thus, if you want to work out, go for it. Just take it easy.
  • I exercise daily no matter what but also keep it light if I am ill. I believe it helps.
  • Listen to your body & go with that . If you are exhausted rest, if you feel energetic make it a light workout . We have to listen to our body's / inner voices, many times we don't & wish we had.


  • Thanks, I'll keep the responses in mind.
  • if i just have the sniffles, i still workout....however if it's more serious i tend to give myself a day or two to rest...or at least not workout, because i still have to work...taking a day off work is simply not an option right now for far too many reasons to go into, all related to work and nothing to do with home, finances, etc

    this week i had the sniffles and worked out...it promptly turned into a massive sinus infection and starting ear infection...i went to the doctor the next day....one ear infection, possible second in the other ear, plus sinus infection...given antibiotics etc...i rested that day, and rested the next...then i went back to running

    if i can push myself, i will
  • I usually go for a walk. I won't go to the gym though. And advice others against it, as I wouldn't want to catch a cold from others who go to the gym while sick.
  • I'd go with light exercise, such as walking or easy biking (with appropriate clothes if it's cold/wet outside, of course). No heavy stuff like adding weights to your weight-lifting workout, or running 10 miles everyday. In my case, at least, I find it also provides a nice change from the old "locked in a sick-room" feeling.
  • I have a really bad cold and nasty cough right now. I feel stuffy-headed and a unusually out of breath doing things like climbing stairs where I run pretty regularly and am more than somewhat fit aerobically. (So whatever I have might be turning into some sort of respiratory infection ).

    I was going to go work out at the gym yesterday and today but I think it would be really antisocial to take this cough to the gym. It's pretty dusty out of doors so I'm not sure it's the best time to walk outside. But I might do a light work out dvd, maybe something like Walk Away the Pounds or something. We'll see.
  • I was quite congested this past week, and wasn't able to breathe easily -- so I stuck to stationary bike for cardio instead of my usual running. I went to the gym when I knew it wouldn't be busy, and brought my own antibacterial wipes for the machines I used (in addition to the usual spray they have).

    I agree with westcoast rosa - if I'm not bedridden, staying active won't hurt.