I am ill, have a fever and just generalized malaise... is it okay to do my Pilates workout? (Which I just started last week, my body is not used to it yet.) Would that make it better or worse? I plan to get some good rest this weekend, but I just hate to miss out on my workout. If it's going to cause me to be sicker longer, then forget it. Thanks.
do you work out when you're sick?
- Thread starter NeuroRN76
- Start date
Not sure - you know how your body reacts better than anyone. I'd say if you do the workout, the typical recovery benefits would be smaller as the body is already fighting off the fever, but I could be wrong. Just putting further strain on already used resources, in my (totally uneducated) opinion 
I basically am going through the same thing right now. I came down with a fever on Saturday night, and it levelled me. I spent all of Sunday sleeping and only came back to work yesterday. I still have muscle fatigue and my throat feels constricted, but I'm much better compared to what I felt like a few days ago.
The thing to keep in mind is that a fever means you have a viral infection. Antibiotics won't affect it - so basically all you can do is allow your body time to recover. Your raised body temperature is your immune system's way of making your body too hot for the virus to live in. If I remember correctly, for every degree you are over your normal body temp, your basal metabolic rate is burning 7% faster. So make sure not to starve yourself... you need calories to keep that furnace going, and your immune system strong. But sleep is the MOST IMPORTANT part of recovering from a virus. That's when your body does most of its recouperating. So, go to bed - not the gym.
A common cold is completely different... don't push yourself too hard, but don't feel like you have to stay away from the gym, either.
The thing to keep in mind is that a fever means you have a viral infection. Antibiotics won't affect it - so basically all you can do is allow your body time to recover. Your raised body temperature is your immune system's way of making your body too hot for the virus to live in. If I remember correctly, for every degree you are over your normal body temp, your basal metabolic rate is burning 7% faster. So make sure not to starve yourself... you need calories to keep that furnace going, and your immune system strong. But sleep is the MOST IMPORTANT part of recovering from a virus. That's when your body does most of its recouperating. So, go to bed - not the gym.
A common cold is completely different... don't push yourself too hard, but don't feel like you have to stay away from the gym, either.
Well I went to the doctor today, and my bloodwork was normal. No sign of infection, viral or otherwise. Apparently this is the result of working out while trying to work 12 hour shifts, and not sleeping well. Plus I've had a ton of emotional stress too. (Darn ex-boyfriend messing with my head and heart.) I over-did it, and being run down just made my autoimmune disorder flare up. (Yes, I have that too... forgot to mention that one when someone asked about all my medical problems.) So the doctor's orders were to GO TO BED, lol.. I guess I will take a break from Pilates for a couple days.
Thanks for the replies. I have been eating and drinking very well today. Hopefully I'll be back in "tip top" shape by Monday. Cheers~
Thanks for the replies. I have been eating and drinking very well today. Hopefully I'll be back in "tip top" shape by Monday. Cheers~
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Just wanted to update that I'm feeling better today, but not 100%. I definitely kicked my autoimmune disorder into overdrive. I have become incredibly WEAK. Forget working 12 hrs and still getting in my Pilates workout, I can't even walk up a few steps without stopping to rest, and being completely short of breath. I'm experiencing PROFOUND fatigue and weakness, which is how I used to live before starting my thyroid medication. I guess I just have to listen to my body and slow down. I'm still losing weight, I always drop a lot of weight during flare ups... down to 106 pounds now. (Started off at 115... lost the first 5 on purpose, the rest came off as a result of being sick.) I'm sure a good 5 pounds will come back as water once I'm feeling better. I'm very dehydrated right now, my lips are cracked and dry. I guess I'm gonna have to call it quits for a while. At least until I'm healthy again, and then I'll start off slower. Instead of Pilates every day, maybe just on my nights off. I'll still be dropping in.. this is a great forum and I've learned so much. If I stick around, I won't be tempted to give up all together. I'm going back to the doctor's tomorrow, so if anything changes, I'll keep you posted.
NeuroRN76 said:
If you takr care of your diet and your hygiene, you really shouldn't get sick at all..
It does happen though so my advice is wheenn it does, rest up and get better first.. your next workout is still going to be there when well.
If you feel okay to do a little, then do.. just take it easy and make being able to workout and look good and feelgood some reasons to not gett sick in the first place and also to recover as fast as you can..
take care and speedy recovery to ya.
Blooming Lotus
Blooming lotus said:
Oh how I wish that were true! I am not a healthy person, I have many medical problems, including immune dysfunction. I am a nurse working around very sick people, in a germ-infested place, I am bound to get sick once in a while. I can take care of myself and practice perfect hygiene till the cows come home.. but get exposed to some bacteria and viruses for a living, trust me, you'll eventually get sick. No one is immortal.
Just to update also, I saw my family doctor today. Still running a low grade fever, but feeling much better. She just drew another immunity panel, but that's not going to make me recover any faster. Hopefully will just give us a better idea of how severe the flare up is. Every now and then this just happens. It usually means I need to cut back on stress. I'll resume my workout tomorrow if my fever is gone. At least my strength is almost back to normal. I drank a ton of water yesterday, and on my second glass already today. I return to work tonight too...booo.
it depends..........what kind of workout and how sick.