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Staying committed to a fitness routine during the winter months has more challenges than you think. The shorter days make you more sleepy. The colder mornings keep you in bed longer. The frigid temps stop you from getting outside for a run or to the gym. Then to top it all off, you might get hit with a bad cold or flu which makes working out seem nearly impossible.
While you can beat most of the excuses for not working out during the winter, sometimes it may be more detrimental to your health than helpful to workout when you are sick. Here are some questions to consider before you try to “sweat out that cold.”
1. Does it hurt to breathe?
If the answer is yes, then skip the gym.
If you have a cold that makes it challenging to breathe, particularly if you’re feeling pain in your chest, do not try to work out. You may have
a simple chest cold but working out can further reduce your body’s ability to fight it, and you might have even more difficulty breathing.
2. Do you have a fever?
If the answer is yes, skip the gym and call your doctor.
If you have a fever, the last thing you should be doing is working out. Working out with a fever can further raise your body temperature and take away from your body’s ability to fight the cause of that fever. If you have a persistent fever, head to the doctor, not the gym. You should also be focused on hydrating like crazy to aid your immune system in kicking that infection out of your body. If you head to the gym under this condition you only stand to worsen your symptoms and expose others to your germs.
3. Do you have Sinus congestion?
If the answer is yes, proceed to the gym with caution.
If you’re experiencing sinus congestion but otherwise do not have difficulty breathing or have a fever, you should be
OK to workout. You should still opt for a less strenuous workout to see how your body responds to be safe. In some cases, you might even help to reduce your nasal congestion and breathe a little easier thanks to your workout. Just proceed with caution and listen to your body if you struggle to breathe or feel more fatigued than usual.
The key is letting your body deal with your cold without prolonging it by running to the gym too soon. Sometimes rest is the best way to recover quickly and resume your workout regimen as soon as possible. When in doubt, always consult with your doctor to be as safe as possible because he or she will know your body and your overall health better than most!
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