When Illness Strikes

Well, I hate to say it, but it is that time of year again folks!  Cold and flu season is upon us.  It is inevitable that we will be struck with a cold or flu from time to time.  It stinks to get sick.  No one likes to feel crummy, especially when she is working toward a weight loss goal!  What does this illness mean to a fitness plan?  Let me help you prioritize…

We in “the biz” of  like to refer to “the Neck Check” as a guideline for working out while sick.  The “Neck Check” is simply a rule of thumb that if your symptoms are located above the neck (stuffy nose, scratchy throat, headache), you almost certainly have a head cold and can hit the road or treadmill safely. If, on the other hand, you have a fever, congestion in your chest and lungs, or feel achy, it is probably a sign of flu, bronchitis, or another more serious ailment, and you should rest up. (Exercising with a fever will make you more vulnerable to dehydration, among other ill effects.)

The “Neck Check” is not foolproof however and a little common sense goes a long, long way here.  If you truly are feeling lousy, even if you methodically went through the “Neck Check” check points, you need to rest!  When your body is run down it sends you signals.  Listen to these signals.  If you are ill and you are craving loads of O.J. , go ahead and indulge.  Your body is trying to tell you that it needs hydration and Vitamin C.  If you find you are craving bizarre foods during your illness, go ahead and indulge.  I give you my permission 🙂  Illnesses should be few and far between…  when your body is fighting an illness, this is not the time to try some new diet plan or push on through week three of your cleanse.  The deprivation will only set you back in the long run.  Listen to your body.  It knows what’s up 🙂