Everyone knows it; You’re not feeling great, but you do have a fitness class planned for tonight. You don’t feel particularly fit and you don’t really feel like going. Is it better to cancel or not?
Everything in balance
There are many different flus and viruses. Do you have a fever of 40 degrees? Then exercise is probably the last thing on your mind (very sensible). But do you have a cold? Then it might be a bit of an itch to hit the gym.
A cold can cause many unpleasant symptoms: runny nose, sore throat, headache, fatigue, muscle pain; you name it. Your body tries to get the virus out the door as quickly as possible and uses a lot of energy to repair your body. Exercising during a cold is fine, but take it easy. Your body has a different priority for your energy. It is therefore very important to get enough rest and certainly not to train too intensively, says sports doctor Michael Jonesco in return for Women’s Health Mag. For example, take a nice walk, cycle or train with light weights. Be frugal with your energy so you can recover faster.
No hard evidence
Unfortunately, it has not been proven that exercising will make your cold go away faster, says sports doctor Jessalynn Adam in return for Women’s Health Mag. It can make you feel better due to the production of endorphins. Moreover, you can strengthen your immune system by exercising.
The Neck-Rule
As you read, there is no clear ‘yes’ or ‘no’ when it comes to exercising if you are not fit. However, there is a kind of mnemonic that can help you determine whether it is wise to exercise; the neck rule. According to Adams, it is responsible to train if the complaints are above your neck, such as a runny nose and/or a full head.
If the complaints are ‘below’ your neck, such as nausea, muscle pain or sore joints, it is better to park on the couch for a while.
Conclusion
The most important thing is: listen to your body! If it feels good to exercise, do so, but certainly not too hard and don’t expect a top workout. Do you feel weak and flu-like? Then it is better to skip your workout. This way your body can recover best.
Source: Women’s Health Mag | Image: Adobe Stock
2023-12-28 10:26:07
#healthy #exercise #fit
