Stop training for a Cold???

[BigCasino]

If you guys catch a common cold, do you guys stop your training routine for the week until you have fully recovered, or do you stop at all? I was making really great progress, but woke up Monday with a classic (congested sinuses, sore throat, and cough ) cold, and feel like being out of the gym all my progress is just slipping away. I am doing my best to stay hydrated and eat like I normally would....

 

[BigChuckles]

If you guys catch a common cold, do you guys stop your training routine for the week until you have fully recovered, or do you stop at all? I was making really great progress, but woke up Monday with a classic (congested sinuses, sore throat, and cough ) cold, and feel like being out of the gym all my progress is just slipping away. I am doing my best to stay hydrated and eat like I normally would....

Well I heard that there was research in this area but don't quote me on that. Pretty much they say that some training may actually be beneficial in helping one recover from a cold. Usually if i'm not too sick and I don't have a fever i'll try to squeeze in a weight session or a light cardio session. I usually feel better afterwards. It would help if you took some cough medicine beforehand to help relieve the congestion. If you start feeling too sick in the gym where u feel like you're getting worse then I wouldn't try to work through it.

 

[LakeMountD]

I wouldn't go in and train with heavy weight like you normally would with a weight session. From what I have read, it is beneficial to do light cardio sessions here and there to keep the blood pumping, etc. Just load up on the vitamin C , AT LEAST 2 grams/daily, eat really good, get some rest, and get that **** out of you before you start training.

 

[cr4ytonic]

In my ultra-scientific study of n=1, I am training while I have a cold right now. Seems to be going ok, the first day was bad (triceps and back) and the weights were down a little. Yesterday was much better, I did legs and was squatting excellent. I am taking a shitload of Vitamin C and other vitamins. Today is an off day but I feel almost recovered, hoping to be in @ 100% again tomorrow for chest.

 

[NPursuit]

Forget training. Keep your protein intake at a maintenance level and pump up the vit. c and echinacea.

 

[rhinochaser48]

From my experience:

If it's a head cold, sniffles or sore throat, go ahead. Just lower your volume.

If it's a little more flu-ish with achiness, cut back to a consolidated routine for the week to get in 1 or maybe 2 workouts tops.

If your coughing up flem. Take a lay off.

No matter what the symptons, increase your vitamin C and get adequate sleep.

 

[beamen28]

i think taking 2 days off to get alot of sleep would get rid of the cold faster than training through it. but whatever u decide to do lots of vitamins and drink a ton of water!

 

[BigCasino]

Thanks for the advice guys!

So basically right now my sore throat has subsided (thank god I can eat without pain now!), but my sinus congestion has intensified to where I can't really breath out of my nose at all, and I am coughing up lots of mucussy stuff (I know, great visual huh?). I am super dosing Vitamin C @ 3 grams a day, a lot with my normal multi vitamin, and 800ui of Vitamin E. I think I might do a very very light low volume workout tomorrow if I am feeling any better.

 

[ballzasteel]

you should not train when you are sick. besides spreading your germs all over the gym where you train, it will delay recovery.

 

[Trapark666]

you should not train when you are sick. besides spreading your germs all over the gym where you train, it will delay recovery.

Good point. Be considerate of the other gym members and don't go in until you are recovered. I hate going to work out and seeing someone coughing all over the equipment. If you want to do a cardio session, you can always jog outside.

 

[LunaHotel]

You know, proper training and nutrition boost your immune system, and if done right, boosts it to freaky levels. In theory, you should be next to invulnerable to common colds. If you aren't, you're very probably overtrained or misdieting. Take a few days off, be more consistent with your diet and make sure you get PLENTY of sleep EVERY night.

 

[ironguns]

Hotel nice signature there, and I was going to ask her name too!! LOL~!! But anyway, Yeah bro, seriously no training for couple days, don't need other bros at the gym sick too, but use some of them light weights u have at home and blow the dust off them and pump-it-out your system.

 

[BigCasino]

Hotel nice signature there, and I was going to ask her name too!! LOL~!! But anyway, Yeah bro, seriously no training for couple days, don't need other bros at the gym sick too, but use some of them light weights u have at home and blow the dust off them and pump-it-out your system.

Seriously thank you for all your input and support guys. This cold has been kicking my ass, even getting lots of rest and vitamins I am still loosing this battle, and it is now day 7, so I think I am gonna go to the Doc and get some antibiotics. The hardest part is I was making great progress, I was up in lean mass and strength and I just feel like this cold threw that out the window. Such a frustrating feeling, I am sure you all know what I mean

 

[willieman]

spreading your germs all over the gym where you train.

agreed...gets everyone else sick too...

 

[OmarJackson]

I eat super healthy, take vitamins, 8 hours of sleep per night, lift 3x per week, cardio 3-4 times per week, and i still get sick every season, and my roomates who are fat idiot slobs almost never get sick. Some people are more susceptible to illness than others. Usually for me, sickness will set me back about 2 weeks, 1 week of not training, and then another week of getting back to where i was before i got sick. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!! its driving me crazy!

 

[OmarJackson]

Oh a question too:

would taking ephedrine while congested be a good idea to melt away all the snot and mucous, it would help in getting rid of it. Or should i just let it go away naturally.

 

[Cuffs]

IMO...one should rest as much as they can, eat healthy (like we should anyways), and not train. Or, if you do train, signficantly lower your intesity. Zinc can also be good to take to help with a sore throat. I've been told that Vitamin C is a preventative for a cold, as it does not assist with recooperation. Tis the season to pump up your doses. This could be bad info though.

About your question with the ephdrine, I would think the dryness of snot would bring about some hard and horrible boogers. Keep an eye on it and if there is brown discoloration in your mucous, then you'll need to get some anti-biotics. I beleive if the discoloration is green, or it is clear, that is good. Means your healing.

 

[SJA]

IMO...one should rest as much as they can, eat healthy (like we should anyways), and not train. Or, if you do train, signficantly lower your intesity. Zinc can also be good to take to help with a sore throat. I've been told that Vitamin C is a preventative for a cold, as it does not assist with recooperation. Tis the season to pump up your doses. This could be bad info though.

About your question with the ephdrine, I would think the dryness of snot would bring about some hard and horrible boogers. Keep an eye on it and if there is brown discoloration in your mucous, then you'll need to get some anti-biotics. I beleive if the discoloration is green, or it is clear, that is good. Means your healing.

True. If you do use E for congestion then I would get some saline spray to keep the moisture. If you dry out your sinus cavity, you will have open wounds which will pick up bacteria when you breathe. You will have an infection for sure then.