Yass, finally you’ve been working on yourself for months. You’ve managed to start being more physically active. You’ve been successfully forming a good new habit and now being active is starting to actually feel kinda good. You are feeling good.
But then you wake up with a light fever, headache and a sore throat. You nose is stuffed and you feel like shit. You realize you’ve been struck by the yearly seasonal flu. Dammit. You know its not really that dangerous for you and that it will pass in about a week. But you also know it wouldn’t be smart to physically exert yourself either. What about your progress? Has all you’ve been doing been in vain? Will you lose all the new muscles and gain back the weight?
Are you in trouble?
Luckily things really aren’t that bad. Forming habits in general absolutely requires endurance and continous effort, but taking a break due to an illness doesn’t nullify your achievements.
I have a flu myself as I’m writing this. My hubby had it first and of course I now have it. I haven’t been able to do any workout this week and it bothered me greatly. I was worried all my effort in weight loss and general health would be ruined. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
I’ve kept on managing the portion sizes and I’ve taken some light walks outside. And what do you know, my weight has continued to slowly but surely decrease. I’m sure my barbell will feel heavier than usual when I resume my workout next week, but you know what, that is okay.
Because one of the things we both need to remember is, our lives are not a race. The only one we are doing all these things for is ourselves. In a year’s scale, a week of rest doesn’t mean anything.
So what should you do when the flu strikes?
1. Take a break from excercise but keep on managing what you eat
Illness is not a valid excuse to gorge yourself. No matter how much your brain tries to fool you, an ill body doesn’t need any more ice cream than an healthy one 😉
2. Drink fluids
You may not need any more calories when ill, but your body might get dehydrated, especially if you have a fever. Also, liquids feel nice on a sore throat and make the slime move in your airways. I personally prefer ginger tea with some honey.
3. Burrow under your blankets
Get as comfortable as possible. Really there is no reason why you shouldn’t become a chipmunk.
4. Binge your favourite tv-show, book or video game
No matter how ill, most people need stuff to do. So pick up one of your favourite pastimes and enjoy. If you start to doze off, let it happen.
5. Take all the rest you need without guilt.
The trail outside and your barbell will wait. Just return to them when you feel better. I will do the same 🙂
With love and tissues, Minna
