Started Exercising (YAY!) but now I am ill. Should I keep going?

Good Morning!

I just started a serious fitness program for the first time, 20-25 mins a day of (for me) intense cardio and strength training. I was doing well and was really proud of myself but now I am sick, not enough to stay home from work but enough to be miserable) and I am worried that if I stop working out while ill I will never get back on the ball.

I am also worried that I will not be able to breathe properly to get through a good, effective routine.

What should I do?

The usual rule of thumb is that the dividing line is your neck - if you're only feeling it above the neck you're good to go, if you're feeling in below the neck you should take a break and let your body work on fighting off the infection.

Wow that makes complete sense. Thank you :)

Since there is a chest cough involved I guess I am just going to rest and cut my calories down a bit.

I've heard that if it's a cold and you're feeling up to it, you can exercise.  But if you have the flu (fever, vomiting, aches and pains, etc) then you really need to take it easy.

Listen to your body.  If you can do it, do it!

It's not cool to go work out at the gym when you are sick; you just end up spreading germs to everyone else.  You could do toned down exercise, walking or something - to hold your time slot and make it easier to get back on the ball after you feel healthy again.

Two days ago (and still) I had a bit of coughs and runny nose. Coughing didn't bother me much but the thought of bothersome runny nose did. But I went for a jog anyway and I felt great. In fact, my nose didn't even run while I jogged.

How are you feeling today?  If you aren't having body aches I would still do something (maybe modify your intensity) today because I find after 3-4 days of not doing my routine it is MISERABLE to get back into it.  Good luck & feel better!

Thanks everyone!

I'm asthmatic, I tried to jog and do my normal stuff and just couldn't get enough air in. i am officially benched for a few days.

Saddie.

Have a great weekend though and thanks again :)