iFitness101

My sister called me yesterday to ask me if it was OK for her to exercise when she is just recovering from a cold. This is a great question for this time of year.

When I’m reading Facebook it seems every other person is posting that they are sick. The short answer to this question is: “Listen to your body”. Your body will let you know if you are ready to exercise again. Let me list a few do’s and don’ts when getting over an illness:

Wait a little longer to exercise if:

• You still feel very tired or worn out.
• Feel lightheaded or dizzy.
• Haven’t eaten properly since your illness began.
• You still feel achy or feverish.

If you are still feeling any of these symptoms it’s probably a good idea to wait another day or two. To get the benefits from exercise you are going to need your strength. Exercising too soon may cause an overload to your body and prolong the duration of your cold.

At this point I would concentrate on drinking lots of water, or tea (My favorite teas are the Mighty Leaf teas. I love the African Necture!), to help flush out toxins from the body. Likewise, take this time to eat and get your energy levels back up. If you really feel like you need to do something, then I would recommend some light stretching – I always feel better after I do this.

Begin to exercise again if:

• You feel like your illness is actually gone.
• You feel energetic (Not just stimulated from caffeine).
• You feel only slightly sluggish from being in bed (Or the couch) all day.
• You have been able to eat and drink properly to keep your energy levels up.
• You’re not feeling dizzy or lightheaded from medications.

Even if you are at this point I would recommend cutting back on what you would normally do for your workout. Again, listen to your body and adjust your workout accordingly. By keeping your exercise light you will help boost your immune system without taking the chance of keeping yourself sick.

During your illness make sure to eat (As best as you can), make sure to drink lots of water or tea and take your Multivitamins. Avoid drinking milk as this can increase your mucus levels and cause you to blow your nose more often.

Live Healthy – Be Free,

Tony