It seems like forever since I've hit the weights and had a workout. I've never been this sick, never in 60 years. I'm just now regaining enough energy to walk 3 miles, and my motivation sucks. It's amazing (at least at my age) how much you lose when you go a little over 2 weeks doing nothing but sleeping every minute I'm not at work just to gain enough energy to keep going to work the next day.
anyhow, I have to get back in the groove. Plan on continuing Fat Loss II this Wednesday. today was going to be the day but the weather was too gorgeous to stay inside. Walked instead. Has anyone else had a hard time returning to lifting after an illness like this?
The only hard part about being sick is the itch to get back in the weight room. The extended break of an illness is a huge motivator for me to get back to it ASAP with even more intensity. Use it for the positives.
And remember, if you start feeling better, and you feel a relapse coming on it could be the common complication to flu, pneumonia. You might ask your doctor for a list of symptom to watch for. My son just contracted the flu, and his nurse practitioner talked to him on the phone and confirmed his suspicions of flue, but gave him the list of pn. symptoms. Having that list can be a life saver.
This list serve is like having a group of work-out partners for motivation. Thanks for all the words of encouragement and advice. Actually resumed Fat Loss II today but (wisely, I think) did two sets instead of three. Was pleased to realize i'd lost less strength than I'd feared. Feeling pretty good about how it went, we'll resume the three set routine next time.
I'll pay attention to symptoms of relapse. My doctor gave me a "Z-pack" (antibiotic) as a protection against pneumonia. Best thing is getting plenty of rest. And, an added side benefit, I lost 15 pounds! I think maybe I was overdoing the protein shake thing. Pants feel much better without that 15 pounds (actually net loss of 10 since I gained 5 back just getting rehydrated). thanks again.
I've been quite run down and just found out last week that I have mono. I went into the gym earlier this week and attempted the FL II B workout for the first time and I was wasted midway through my first set of split squats. What's the best way to proceed? Should I go to the gm and do what I'm able or just rest until I'm doing better? I should add that I don't feel terribly ill but I'm certainly suffering energy-wise. Any input is appreciated.
With mono, you don't want to do anything that makes you more run down. You have to rest A LOT in order to get over it, and tiring your body out in the gym is not a good idea...not to mention that you can be contagious.
Thanks. I've taken this week off at very least but it's killing me. I really rely on my time at the gym to deal with work/life stress and I don't feel as 'up' if I don't get that time in. Here's my follow up question, what should I do when I go back? Pick up where I left off? Drop back to what I was doing a few weeks ago and work my way up?
Here's my follow up question, what should I do when I go back? Pick up where I left off? Drop back to what I was doing a few weeks ago and work my way up?
There's a thread that addresses this very topic - scan a few pages back to see some opinions on how to come back. One of the opinions came from me, and I did just that - went back a couple of weeks to some lighter weights and worked my way back up to the level I left off at. Full disclosure: you'll be sore!
Having started this thread, I can only say that what worked for me was coming back with the goal of having my workout be successful. Success can be defined however you like. What I suggest you avoid is defining success too highly rather then setting the bar too high and failing to achieve your goal. For many goal oriented exercisers "failing" runs the risk of getting discouraged or otherwise down on ourselves. Better to set a realistic goal.
After my bout with the flu (the flu won) it has taken two weeks to regain full energy. My strength was OK, I just lacked the energy or motivation. The first day back to Fat Loss II, after the first set of reps I decided to complete the day by only doing two sets rather than the required three sets. Got through it OK, using the same weight as before I got the flu. Feeling good at having achieved my goal, I was looking forward to the next success, rather than beating myself up for two days over not having met my goal. The next workout, and in subsequent workout days, I have resumed the full three set Fat Loss II protocol. I have been cautious at increasing any weight, content for the time being at staying with the weight I had been lifting. I think I will extend Fat Loss and work on increasing the weight (or slowing down the exercises) to increase the challenge as I feel I have fully regained my energy. Then onward to Hypertrophy III, Fat Loss III, or Strength I. Good luck.
I just got over a pretty bad cold (and a sore back) and lost two weeks also from my routine, plus the one week for my scheduled break after FLI. I only got through the very first workout in FLII before I got sick, so I don’t have to redo any workouts other than the first one, but I do feel a loss of strength because of the time off.
My plan is to restart FLII from the beginning again but at lower weights than if I were to start it right after my break from FLI. If I find that I’ve lost more strength than I thought, then I’ll lower the weights even more. If I’m stronger than expected, I’ll increase and just continue on as normal. I think it’s always safer to err on the side of caution. You can always add weights, but you don’t want to overdo it and end up sick again, or injured and discouraged. Work your way back slowly…just my opinion.
Knocked out by the flu
Linear Mode
