Workout when sick?

Team CMT at Bike New York   2012

" That which does not kill us makes us stronger."- Fredrich Nietzsche

When you want to achieve fitness goals sometimes you have to work out when you just don't feel like it.  Your goal may be big, like running a marathon or modest like just getting more fit.   Achieving your fitness goals means being consistent and working out most every day.

But what if you get sick?  Should you skip a day?  This is flu season and it has been a severe one so the question is timely.  Here is a simple rule to help you to decide.

Neck & Above
If you don't feel well and the symptoms are neck and above you can work out.  This means with your average head cold you can work out. Think about adjusting your workout schedule. Have you been working out too hard, causing your body to wear down?  Think about taking a rest day or doing a low intensity easy work out.  Be sure you are getting enough rest and eating well.  See your doctor if symptoms last more than a few days or you have any concerns about your symptoms.

Below Neck
Chest congestion, body aches, fever, flu, etc should mean no working out. It can be dangerous to workout if you have the flu since your body may already be dehydrated.  Working out may make flu more severe and delay recovery.  No workout is worth putting your health in danger.

If you are sick take off the time needed to get healthy.  A few missed workouts is not going to make a huge difference in your overall fitness.  Just don't use every ache and pain as an excuse to skip workouts. When you are really sick give yourself permission to take the time off you need to get better.

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Chris Wodke

Founder & Manager Team CMT

www.run4cmt.com

Team CMT is a group of athletes and supporters working to raise awareness and to find a cure for CMT. We have  115 members in 25 states. If you wish to join us visit our web site.

CMT or Charcot-Marie-Tooth is the most commonly inherited peripheral neuropathy. It affects over 155,000 Americans (as many as MS).  It is a disease of the nerves that control the muscles. It is slowly progressive, causing loss of normal function and or sensation in the lower legs/feet and arms/hands.

Symptoms include; muscle wasting in the lower legs and feet leading to foot drop, poor balance and gait problems Atrophy in the hands causes difficulty with manual dexterity.

Structural foot deformities such as high arches and hammer toes are common.

Poor tolerance for cool or cold temperatures and many people have chronically cold hands and feet.

Additional symptoms may include fatigue, sleep apnea, breathing difficulties and hearing loss.