I'm Ill (sick)......again!!

[Gaffer]

Since changing my workouts and 'going heavy' with less reps I've been nothing but Ill (sick).

Since December I've had:

Tonsilitis
Pharyngitis
Chest Infection
Flu
2 Commom Colds
Sickness Bug

And now I've got Flu again!!

My two kids bring home every bug going which doesn't help!

I workout Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri, with Wed, Sat and Sun off.

I'm taking Multi vitamins and my diet is real good, but it's as if my body (immune system) just can't take the punnishment.
I'm very competetive and will compete against myself to achieve my goals.

But am I overdoing it, I don't want to slack off if I have to?!

This year I've only had two full weeks off from the gym, because of illness and a pulled pec muscle, should I take more time off, more often?

I know some of you have a week of every now and then. How often do you have a week off?

Help, my muscles are fading away!

[GraemeK]

um... i workout more than you on average and hardly ever ill
I take 1000mg Vit C a day on slow release and try to consume as much fruit and veg as i can...i'm not a lover of veg though so i try to drink vegetable juice which isnt too bad.
Maybe your body is run down from your injury?
maybe also back off the low rep scheme and try the oposite just until your body gains strength?

sorry i cant help more

G

[1more]

I like to have a week off or so, every couple of months, i can usually feel my body needing a rest.

I take a multi-vit every morning ( i dont eat much in the way of vitamins) also i take an Echinacea pill everyday, because i too was easily susceptible to the cold and flu.....since taking Echinacea ive not been sick at all (touchwood), yet people around me have been. I rate Echinacea highly from my experience, worth a try, its not expensive.

[Jaster]

I try not to take any time off. I feel like I missed something if I don't hit the gym.

[tallpete]

Gaffer

Your not on your own there,

Every time I make reasonable gains in the gym I get hit with something that sets me back.

I think its having young kids and the ****ty English weather.

I have changed my routine to a 2 day split mon, wed, fri, it seems to be working so far.

( touchwood )

1more I might try "Echinacea" myself thanks for the lead

[goloid]

hmmm
maybe a week off will do you good

also do you smoke ?

my gf used to get sick like 12 times a year

she stopped smoking


she still gets sick more then norm but its considerably less

[Jakanden]

I know how you feel man. The flu (Among other things), is going around in central florida and I can't seem to get rid of it. I caught it about 2 weeks ago, and its been kicking my butt since then.

I take vitamins every day and im also taking vitamin C throat drops, but today it is really bad, and thinking about going home from work early =(.

[MoosemaN]

It is always ****ty to get sick..

I think I am one of the lucky ones.. I have not been sick for over a year that I can recall.. And I live nowadays in Ireland.. the worst weather u can get..

I acctually do not have any special tricks.. I just started eating vitamins...

Hmm where u sick alot as a kid?

damn ****ing **** - Just trying the censoring thingy

[Gaffer]

Hi all, thanks for your replies so far.

I've never been this sick, so often. The only things that I've changed is my diet (for the better) and that I really really push myself hard in the gym doing low reps.

I've never smoked and have always been sporty/athletic.

Something else I forgot, usually when I'm run down (stress at work) I tend to get mouth ulcers and cold sores, but I feel fine, no stress, no ulcers, etc.

Guess a week off wouldn't do any harm, I just feel that it's one step forward and two steps back!

TallPete, that's exactly how I feel re: gains. And you may have a point about the weather.

[Jakanden]

I noticed that even though i stopped going to the gym for about 2 weeks (Getting situated with new job), when I was able to hit the gym again (Still cannot do it consistently), I hadn't lost any strength.

Also my weight stayed the same and I actually toned up a bit. For me, at least, diet plays the most important part. So even though i couldnt hit the gym, keeping a controlled diet keeps me in shape =)

[Fudomyo]

Workout less would ya! Your body is sending you a loud message.

It doesn't matter how often the 16 yr olds on the board workout. You need more rest.

Less days.
Less sets.

Sounds like you could be dieting too much. When your body senses less cals, it shuts down expensive things like your imune system.

Good luck.

[Amkey]

Gaffer,
How long was it after getting these illnesses did you hit back at the gym. The mistake most people make is when they feel better they go straight back and start where they left off. You may feel better but your body is still recooperating and your immune system is still trying to get back on track. and when you hit the gym too soon your body is working just that much more overtime. Soooo I would suggest that stay out of the gym untill you feel better and then when you do feel better stay out 1 to 2 more weeks until you feel rockin. That sounds like a long time but its worth it in the long run.
just my opinion

[Gearhead]

I would suggest vitamin c and lots of water..i take 2000mg of vitamin c a day and TRY to drink alot of water...I falter at that though..I never get sick..knock on wood......

[Steve]

Gaffer, you could have an infection of some kind...they play hell with your immune system....recovery from hard workouts often leads to a crash in your health. Your body just can't take the stress. Better go and see a doctor and have a bloodtest done.
Seems there must be something wrong if you're getting sick all the time.

Or....you are way overtraining.

Steve

[carcajou]

The work that you do to 'do your body good' does your immune system harm in the short term.

Strenuous activity has been shown to reduce the effectiveness of the immune system. However, hard work followed by rest periods ( DAYS OFF ) does cause the immune system to get stronger. DON't be doing a routine that has you in the gym every day. Don't do one of those 6 day splits either. When the body is stressed like it is when one strength trains or trains hard, the immune system is suppressed. The same 'stress/rest' principle that is the FOUNDATION of bodybuilding/strength training also helps the immune system...IF you make sure to incorporate the 'REST'.
I'd suggest a 4 day per week schedule for you. That's enough if you train hard.