Since the weekend I've been ill (read: tonsillitis, cold, chest infection, etc) so I've done no exercise. In fact I've not been out for a few days, too knocked for six / slept a lot.

Recognise with rest I will get better faster. However, now feel irritable esp by the fact I've not had any exercise, and this whole thing has gone pear shaped. The fact I've been ill in the first place, 'how dare it mess up with achieving a mini goal by tomorrow', etc which is not good.

Not quite got the energy to re-hit the gym (was flagging last week), although part of me misses it. Way too scared to step on the scales, as my weight has to have gone up. Feeling demotivated, and a wimp. Terrified that a set back will derail me, and lose focus.

Kind of resent having to step on the scales this week (Biggest Loser Club), as weight is not my immediate priority, but getting well is. Yet I know I want and need to work at longer term, and not lose sight of this. Kind of want time to stop. Dunno if that makes an ounce of sense?

How do people deal with this? Rationally I know its about perspective, but the thought of dealing with weight gain, what I worked at recently etc, am not sure if I want to deal with right this second.

Okay I sound pathetic, and need to get over it.

We're in this for the long term, there's ups and downs! If you're eating right, you should not be gaining just from resting. Stepping on the scale this week (or any week in the future) may suck, but it's what we have to do and our will to keep going is what makes us so successful.



Perfect - everything is. Take a step back and a deep breath.

It will be ok. Its up to you. But even though you were resting, if you were ill your body is hard at work. Why do you think people lose weight when they get sick.. Even when they aer eating.. You might be suprised at what you see.

Good luck, hun.

Thanks both for the feedback and reminder. Just needed to offload somewhere, and not slowly drive myself insane. I must not let myself be derailed by this.

Yea I am ill as well, I missed yesterday but I think I will go in for 25 mins today just to get my strong lifts. It is a life long process and missing one or two days up to a week or two is better than going and making yourself worse by trying to make your body perform to where its not ready to perform yet.

Have to give it rest.

Well, if you're sick, your appetite probably isn't what it could be so at least you probably aren't overdoing the calorie intake, besides taking a week of rest isn't necessarily bad because it will make you want it more when you do get in the gym (ie. deeper digs and much more intensity).

Plus, the best ab workout I ever had was food poisoning!

Thanks again for the support, and motivating me to keep my eyes on the goal / not get derailed.

Finally got on scales, I gained 0.8lbs since last week, I've been drinking too many Innocent smoothies for a start (instead of my usual water), and I've not moved since the weekend. Just wish this whole being ill thing would hurry up, so I can get back to it.

Shame I didn't have food poisoning. (I didn't say that of course, must take a healthy approach to all this(!))

Greta, just take it easy if you really are that sick. Back 2 weeks ago I came down with a nasty sinus infection and I didn't work out any for 8 days in a row. I was on steroids and antibiotics. I just focused on getting better. Yeah, I gained, but it dropped right back down after I got better, and I'm on my way down the ladder again. Let your body heal itself and then get back to the gym. You don't want to make yourself worse and take 3 times as long to get better just because you pushed too hard. If it's really bothering you, then try some easy (non impact) exercise like yoga or stretching.

Rachael - you're right.

a) I'm not a good patient,
b) I'm being paranoid / over anxious, as I know how easily I gain weight,
c) annoyed to be sidetracked.

No chance of me going to the gym yet, I simply don't have the energy and my body only seems to be interested in sleeping.

Thanks for the reminder, its something I need to learn to deal with ... as its not the last time this is going to happen. Just need to keep perspective in check in the meantime.

Greta,
Good news, you can come out somewhere on the other side of this better than before.

The other year I got pneumonia and was out of commission for a couple of months. I had reached all these milestones cycling, and I felt all was lost.

The recovery process was slow for a few months after that. But eventually I got back to where I was in weight loss, had a good year of cycling afterward, lost a load more weight, and added a great gym regimen too.

Then, just when I had reached a new peak in cycling, things blew up again! With two herniated cervical disks and high blood pressure (don't know how...could have been all the prednisone and sudafed from the pneumonia period, maybe it was a hereditary time bomb). I was back on the sidelines. I wondered if I was done the pain was so bad 24/7.

After trying to fight it for a while, I had to shut down all sports, lifting, surfing, and cycling for 2 months again. All I could to was walk man's best friend.

During that time I took 8 acupuncture sessions with additional electrical stimulation. And I won't forget the support from folk here at Traineo too -- that was really appreciated, because it's tough when you are shut down.

Whaddaya know, I am back in the gym, back surfing, back lifting weights better than before, swimming 1000 yards, and other good stuff. And heck, I'm 47 to boot and feel like I'm 27 some days.

Sure there are a few things that could be better, but it you treat yourself right, now, you could be looking at a great, and highly motivated upside in a while.

Like Dave said, we're in it for the long term, so hang in there. Sometimes, life puts a speed bump in the way. If you can take some time to be contemplative. A little yoga when you are feeling a little better maybe. (Don't be fooled though, Yoga can be exertion too.)

For now it suxxeth (dogone I got a cold right now, too), but there'll be new challenges waiting for you on the other side, and maybe even a new you you never even imagined.