Getting Back Into the Game: Resuming Exercise After Illness
Here we are, at the start of flu season.
And wouldn’t you know it, I’ve already gone and gotten sick. Yup, I’m in the middle of my first ever round of Tamiflu. I still feel pretty awful – so I’m glad I got the Tamiflu. Not sure what shape I’d be in without it.
The last day I ran was on Sunday. That’s the day I had chest pains – my guess is I was getting sick at that point and my body was trying to tell me to SLOW DOWN.
Now, I’m thinking ahead a few days. When should I start running again? I’m frustrated that I’ve worked so hard and I’m going to fall back in my training.
It got me to thinking – can you exercise when you’re sick? If not, when is the best time to start back? What precautions should you take?
Most articles I’ve read advise NOT exercising while you’re sick. Especially if you’re symptoms are below the neck – i.e. chest congestion. Personally, I don’t really think I’m enough of a masochist to run wth a head cold. Maybe some light weight training, but definitely NOT cardio.
Other good tips for returning to exercise after illness:
- Don’t rush it. Give your body enough time to recover.
- Avoid hard cardio.
- Reduce your intensity level. Ease yourself back into exercising – don’t try to overdo it to make up for lost time.
- If it is cold, exercise inside. Hit a treadmill instead of the track (unless you have an indoor track…). It is important to stay warm.
- Heed your body’s cues. Your body will tell you if you are overdoing it. Listen.
I’m hoping I’ll be able to ease myself back into running by the beginning of next week. It is frustrating, but I know that I’ll do more damage than good if I force myself out there too early.
Do you try to exercise when you’re under the weather? If so, where do you draw the line? If not, how long do you wait to resume your program?
