Should I work out if I am sick??? That depends . . . .define "sick".

That depends on your definition of "sick".  If I have a cold, stuffy head or sinus infection, you bet I do still workout.  If I am running a fever or throwing up, however, I opt for a rest day.  I honestly don't think there is anything wrong with working out on days you are slightly under the weather.  Take this morning for instance.  I have had a crazy sinus infection for about a week now.  I knew I was going to do Yoga this a.m. but when I woke up, my right eye was on fire!  It was like someone shoved sandpaper in it at some point during the night.  So I splashed it with water a bunch and did the 68 minutes of Yoga with my eyes closed for the most part.   When I got out of the shower, my eye wouldn't stop running.  Now (in the afternoon), it has gone back and forth all day from dry as a desert to runny as a river all day.  It's something I can do nothing about right now, except let it run its course, so why should I let it slow me down?

And even before this a.m. I did my crazy Thursday class at the gym last week (which was probably day 2 of the sinus troubles) and continued the rest of the week/weekend through my normal routine.  I did a crazy cross fit class on Monday (I totally forgot about my teeth hurting (sinuses) when I walked/jumped, when my legs were burning because of all the squats!).  Monday was pretty awesome though because we jumped in the pool after the work out and did laps.  So refreshing!

I mean, if you want an excuse not to work out, you will find one and illness seems to be a convenient one.  That being said, there are times when you should let your body rest.  If you truly have body aches, fever, vomitting, or other big time symptoms, I don't recommend working out - give your body the rest it is asking for.  If, on the other hand, your allergies are acting up, you have a cold or some other minor illness, strap on those tennis shoes and press play!

This whole article was prompted by a phone call on Thursday by a very good friend of mine.  She asked if I wanted to go to lunch and I said, "Can't.  It's crazy work out day at the gym."  And she said, "You are working out when you are sick???"  It truly never dawned on me not to until she said it.  I am addicted.