Let me preface by stating that I rarely get sick. In fact, I've had three colds since 1992. Two of them have happened in the last year because I work in a small office space with some very unhealthy people who get sick often. I am quite the germophobe and attempt to eliminate all contact with sick co-workers, but I've caught two colds from them, the latest of which was on Friday. Having stated that, I hate medicine. I am of the belief that because of my pristine lifestyle (great diet and extensive exercise), my body can heal from sicknesses rather quickly. Even though I had a fever, sore throat, and runny nose this morning, I ran my usual 15 miles. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but I think it works. 4 hours after my daily workout, and 48 hours since I contracted this nasty bug, my sore throat is gone, my fever is gone, and all I have left is mucus and a stuffed nose. Everyone thinks I'm nuts for keeping up my strict exercise habits through a sickness and refusing medicaiton. But I truly feel this is the best way. Just curious if anyone else out there believes their body can better overcome sickness through good daily diet and exercise, instead of relying on medication as a crutch. I tell my colleagues that they get sick so often b/c they're a bunch of lardy, lazy bums who eat junk all day and only get exercise from the click of a mouse.
*click mouse* "reply" *type type type type type* ah...i feel better already thanks to my extensive laziness. in seriousness, i agree. i usually continue doing whatever i do - play pickup basketball, beer league ice hockey, etc.
I avoid antibiotics when I get a cold and can usually knock it out in 2 minor days of the sniffles. For the most part, I eat right, exercise and take mass amounts of vitamins. Here comes my vitamin push again. For those that suffer from allergies, try this each day: - Take 2-4 grams of Vitamin C (Your body will use what it needs and pee out the rest). - 50 to 100 mg of zinc - 1-2 multivitamins You would be amazed to see the improvement in your resistence.
I go nuts with vitamin C as soon as I start to feel the onset of a cold. I will literally eat lemons and drink 4 or more liters of water with lemon juice. I have found Echinecea herb capsules to work wonders too.
I too must exercise to get the snot out, but man please drink some extra water. Your body is dehydrated when it gets sick. PLEASE drink some water ok?
I think zinc lozenges and nasal gel have been shown (although not conclusively) to shorten the length of symptoms from the common cold when they are taken within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. I would say that exercising is fine when you are sick with a couple of caveats: --If you are vomitting or have diarrhea, don't work out. --If you have a fever, and you work out, make sure you drink gatorade atleast twice as much as you would normally.
A healthy lifestyle (Diet and exercise) is the best method to combat sickness. However, dont overlook the use of medication. Medication, when used correctly will not have any damage to your system and, in the process of the sickness, will alleviate any symptoms for a temporary time period. Why have a runny nose when medication will cure it? Your body's ability to overcome a cold will be due to your lifestyle choices. Therefore, if you take medication, you will still have a cold for that time period, but at least you wont have to endure the problems associated with being sick. Continue to eat right and exercise, but keep in mind that the medicine is there for comfort purposes, not necessarily to get the cold out of your system...your body's immune system will do that on its own.
mmmm, Nyquil... you may still be sick, but you won't care anymore. The one saving grace in being sick is getting to take this stuff to forget about it. Nothing wrong with medicine. For me, it helps to have cough drops, for instance, so you don't start making a lot of noise in a meeting. Or Nyquil and other antihistamines to keep the nose dripping to a minimum, especially if you can't get away from work. No one wants to see you with a wet Kleenex in your hand and then putting your hands on everything. Do, however, drink extra water and Gatorade and stay off the coffee while you're sick.
Man, I'm in what I would think is good shape low body fat eat right, exercise everyday (not 15 miles worth) and I'm only 24, but I hold onto a cold FOREVER... I think you're living in a bubble if you think everyone should be the same as you and think that they stay sick longer because they are lazy..I think everyone has a different immune system regardless of how you live your life...
That's good drapg, and i'm glad that your exercise doesn't really affect anyone else. If you're sick and you're out huffing and puffing on a basketball court exposing everyone else to the germs, then I'd have to say you're a b*stard *cough* 3814 *cough*
You misunderstood me. Of course everyone's lifestyle is different and their immune system is different. I'm talking about certain people who I have extensive contact with and know very well who seem very prone to illness. It is my belief that they wouldn't be so sick if they took better care of their bodies. I try to use my lifestyle as an example for them... that's all. And i posted this b/c people think I'm nuts for my beliefs and I wanted to get a greater sampling set from a wide group of people from around the world, to see if i'm truly nuts or there is some truth. Apparently I'm not all that crazy.... (at least when it comes to this topic), judging by the posts.
Really? Then they have something in common with this BBS! Sorry man, I couldn't resist. But no I think you are right like others have said. Sounds like your co-workers are a great description of what is becoming (with each and every day) the typical, normal American - obese and out of shape. Vitamin C is what I normally take if I feel a cold coming on; however, if I have a fever, then it is a little different. As a matter of fact, it has been so long since I have had a fever, I don't know if I would try to exercise or not.
Most symptoms of colds come from viruses. Taking antibiotics is useless and counterproductive. Cold medicine are suppressants, but if they help you get through it mentally, it could act as a nicely timed placebo. If you are sick, always drink more liquids if you decide to excercise. It'll do your kidneys and liver a favor.
Picture perfect. I'm a flu bug myself but my colleagues never complained. Some even came over to use my keyboard / terminal / headset. I felt uneasy and had to stop them.
