




03

Sicky Milicky
Judging from the number of coupons in the Sunday paper advertising cough and cold medicine, tissues, and vitamins – I think it is safe to say that cold and flu season is in full swing. If you have kids too, add strep throat, pink eye, and croup to the list. And that old saying, “moms aren’t allowed to get sick,” is for people who don’t have kids, or don’t recall shoving Kleenex up their own noses to keep from dripping on the floor while they tie their kids’ shoes in the morning. Moms get sick.
So the question is, when you are sick, should you skip your workouts, or plow right through them and pretend that person coughing up a lung on the elliptical machine isn’t you? I have the answer. Are you ready? IT DEPENDS.
As a general rule of thumb, if you have “above the neck” symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, sneezing), then moderate exercise is okay, as long as you don’t have a fever.
If you have “below the neck” symptoms (muscle aches, chills, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, swollen glands, or a dry, hacking cough), put your running shoes back in the closet and grab your slippers instead – you aren’t going anywhere. And honestly, I don’t know why you’d want to exercise under these conditions.
Also, if you have a fever – stay home and rest. Please. You won’t have a productive workout anyway. Remember, a fever is a sign your body is trying to fight off an unwanted invader. Don’t meddle.
And think about this too – your fellow gym-goers don’t want to get sick. Do them all a favor, and stay home if you are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever. With H1N1 fears heightened right now, everyone at your gym will look at you like you have a third eye anyway. Spare yourself. Sleep instead.