So it’s starting to be that season… you know catching colds and constantly eating soup.
Earlier this week I caught a cold … sore throat, exhausted and weak. Having lived in the humid and perfectly warm climate of Hawaii for the past five years the cold dry weather in Utah is a huge change for my body. Exposure to new environments and lots of new people has definitely been a shock to my immune system. Sometimes no matter how healthy you keep your body a big just might catch you.
As someone who has made exercise a habit and something to crave it becomes a hard choice to either sweat it out or rest and recover. My question for you guys is:
- when do you decide to rest & recover (aka skip your previously planned workout)
- Or go to the gym anyways and try to sweat it out
I have to say it is hard sometimes to be completely alright with taking more than one rest day. I tend to go through an interview with myself
- are you really that sick?
- Are you being a pansy?
- Is staying home really going to make you better?
- What if you worked out for just a little bit of time?
A silly but rationale questionnaire I take myself through to feel justified to either stay home or go workout.
I think the biggest question, and arguably the only one that matters is: which choice with ultimate help you with your health?
Sometimes it is best to relax, sleep it off and fully let your body recover. Especially right at the beginning – if you start to feel a cold coming on, take the day off. Often I can minimize or eliminate the bug with enough rest within the first 24hrs of feeling it. I usually start to exercise day 2 or 3.. I start with slow paced cardio; maybe the cycle or incline walk. Something that needs minimal energy for my body to recover from. It feels good just to get things moving and flowing through my body.
All I can say is take care of your body, fuel it with nutrition, and exercise. Have fun and enjoy your life. Take every opportunity to smile and laugh.
As always stay fit,
Cassandra