Strong & Sexy is our monthly feature from Molly Galbraith of Girls Gone Strong and it features questions from readers of the TPS newsletter.

Molly will answer at least one question each month on topics geared towards our female readers. Ladies, get those questions ready and reply back to the newsletter with them.

“How do you gauge when you’re “too sick” to work out? Obviously if you’re bed-ridden that’s too sick, but what about when you just have a cold and your body feels OK?” – Cecily W.

I was really excited to address this question since so many people find themselves ill this time of year! First and foremost, I am so glad that you realize that if you’re really sick, you need to stay home and rest. It may sound like a no-brainer to you, but you’d be surprised at how many of our clients trudge in looking like death wanting to still try and work out.

Look people, if you’re sick, it’s because your body is too run-down to fight it off!

My business partner Jim Laird always says, “If you don’t slow down… your body will slow you down.”

And he is exactly right. Sometimes it’s just a short-term illness, sometimes it’s much worse like when Jim was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, or when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, PCOS, and Adrenal Dysfunction. We were both pushing our bodies way too hard for too long, and it backfired big-time.

But enough about that!

Here are some guidelines to follow:

You should stay home and avoid the gym completely if:

1. You have the flu, or flu-like symptoms. Just. Stay. Home.

2. You have a fever. Your body is trying to fight off infection. Don’t spread it!

3. You have achy joints or muscles. Rest your body.

You can do a light workout if:

1. Your symptoms are mild and confined to your head (i.e., haven’t spread to your lungs/body).

2. You’re just suffering from allergies (i.e., runny nose, itchy eyes, etc.).

Notice I said “light workout.” That means stretching, foam rolling, mobility work, light walking, etc. This is not the time to run your body hard at all. This is the time to take care of yourself and put money back in the tank!

 

So remember, if you get sick, your body is asking for a break. Give it the break it needs so you can recover more quickly and get back in the gym full-force when you’re better!

By: Molly Galbraith C.S.C.S.
mollygalbraith.com