Fitness class vs. bed with hot lemon

[natalie_1982]

Ok, basically I have had quite bad fluey type cold that is now on my chest and making me feel really achey and generally cr*p.

Last week I didn't attend my fitness classes because I felt so ropey and thought it would have cleared up by now but it hasn't. I am loathe to miss another week, but still feel crap. Should I go or not?

[nedflanders]

No it will only make you feel even more lathargic. Get a DVD out and sweat it out........under the duvet. :-)

[jostar]

You shouldn't exercise when you have flu as I've heard it can be bad for your heart. Snuggle under the duvet with a good dvd and a hot lemon

[IggyB]

excerise while ill is not a good idea, as with the exercise the blood pressure rises / blood flow inceases and moves the germs to other areas helping to make you feel worse. plus with you beathing hard and sweating you are very likely to infect all those around you with your bug... so keep wrapped up and resting until you have recovered

[WendyS]

Listen to what your body is telling you. If you still don't feel well, don't push it. Settle for bed and hot lemon. Resting will aid your recovery in the long run.

[VannaB]

The general rule is, if your cold is in your head then you are ok to exercise if you feel up to it and fellow exercisers don't mind you sneezing all over them. However if it goes to your chest then it's best to wait until it's gone. Sometimesa virus can put stress on the heart and if you exercise when suffering, it is possible to cause yourself a few problems (the worst being death!).

SO I'd say wait until you feel better. Who wants a gym buddy who spreads germs anyway? And what quality of workout can you get if you feel that ill? No point going til you're better. So take plenty of zinc and Vit C supplements, rest and start back slowly. It only takes 2 weeks for your fitness level to slump by 50% of what it was, so when you return don't be surprised to find you can't do as much and have to start back slowly. However you will soon be up to speed again !

[natalie_1982]

Thanks for your answers peeps, I did actually get worse and subsequently had Weds and Thurs off work. I'm gonna rest up over the weekend and be ready for action next week !