Workout or rest?

I was planning to workout tonight on the elliptical, but now my throat is sore and I'm stuffed up from this new cold I have. Should I still work out tonight and risk wearing down my body and getting sicker, or rest at home tonight? I'm kind of afraid I'll feel worse during the weekend and I'll be blowing the opportunity to workout when I still had the motivation.

What would you do?

Fri. Nov 11, 4:31pm

I think your body knows when it needs a rest. Sounds like you need a rest to me and a warm blanket and some soup would do you wonders.

Friday, November 11, 2005, 4:42 PM

If you feel like you need to move, do something like take a walk (all bundled up if it's cold!) or do some relaxation/stretching. Drink tons of fluids - water and tea - that'll help the cold, and it'll flush your body so it's really good for you! Don't go work out a ton.

Unless, you only kind of feel like maybe you'll catch a cold, and you're just using this as an excuse not to work out (I do that all the time!) In that case, go work out!

Friday, November 11, 2005, 4:58 PM

I vote for rest. Your immune system depends on protein. That's why UNICEF tries very hard to get protein into the mouths of starving children (I know this sounds like a joke, but it's true). Protein gives the children a chance of fighting off disease. Of course, your situation is not as dire as a starving child, but if you work out, you will be forcing your immune system to compete with your muscles for protein. Have you ever noticed that someone training intensely often comes down with a cold within a day or two?

Friday, November 11, 2005, 5:13 PM

Rest. Rule of thumb I was taught somewhere is, if the symptoms are only in your head (physically, that is) then you can press on, but anything affecting the rest of your body means you should stop. Overall tired is not just a head thing and to me that means stop.

Friday, November 11, 2005, 10:07 PM

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