Hi guys

I've been struggling with a lurking cold - blocked nose, mental fog, lethargy, generally under the weather and out of sorts - for weeks now and its starting to really get me down, not to mention causing stress due to the impact its having on my work!

I'm getting desperate - apart from the frustration of the cotton wool brain, I had something similar 18 months ago that led to a 35 pound weight gain I'm still trying to shift and I really don't want to go any further down that road

I tried relying on caffeine, which kept me awake but did nothing for my mental agility so I'm trying to cut it out. I'm a comfort eater and have put on a few pounds as a result of that and not being up to much exercise in the last week or two. I'm also trying (as of yesterday so its early days!) to cut right back on dairy, build up the exercise and make sure I eat loads of fruit, veggies and lean protein, drinking 3/4 litres of water a day to keep hydrated... Does anyone have any top tips for an eating plan that might kick start my brain back to some semblance of normality?!

Mali,

I can't offer much advice in terms of brain food, but here are my thoughts on getting through a cold:

I've found that the more I exercise, the more healthy I eat. So even in times under the weather, I try to do some sort of physical activity. For example, I do some stretching exercises for 10-15 minutes or go for a walk around my neighbourhood in the morning. These or similar low-impact activities have helped me get in a healthier mindset on days I skip the gym or aren't feeling well.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Most important thing is to try to get some decent sleep - take a couple of decongestants a few hours before bed, and also maybe a hot bath - I read a research paper a while back (somewhere), which suggested that people slept best after a bath.

With regards to diet - cut out all gluten, don't have any bread or wheat, eat high protein food and low GI carbs.

With regards exercise - just do it (tm) - don't push yourself too hard if you're feeling rotten, but don't try to reason your way out of working hard on the basis of feeling poorly - it's far too tempting to do!

Maxwell

Low impact exercise sounds like a good option - running is not the best at the moment but I'm sure I can manage an hour of pilates and a walk, I've got to get my head out of the 'all or nothing' mindset!

Laying off the wheat is also a top tip...

thank you!

I just recenly got over a cold and I agree that continuing to excercise is the thing to do. At first I really didn't want to, but I forced myself to at least do a little, even when I was feeling the worst, and when it was over I felt much better. I also recovered from my cold pretty quickly, and I think that keeping up with my diet and excercise deserves at least some of the credit.

I'd say so - if you were feeling like I've been feeling that's pretty impressive, good for you! Its heartening to hear that taking to my bed for the duration is not the only/best option - sounds as though I'd better get on with building up my exercise again...

I've just come down with a cold/flu in the last 2 days. Hopefully I'll be over it quickly. I've just started on my diet / exercise / lifestyle change 8 days ago and it's disappointing to hit a speed bump . I'm still dropping weight however

I might try gentle exercising when I feel less congested and headachey.

Sweat, and for a temporary fix, spice up your food, that'll clear your sinuses for a little while.

was that 3 or 4 litres of water a day, or was that three-fourths of a litre of water a day? 3 or 4 is better, but don't over do it. Avg perosn only needs about 2.2 (i think that comes out to the recommended 8 glasses a day)...you'll be fine.

And if you want to try a supplement, to kick start your head. Try "Gotu Kola" its an herb, very good for mental alertness and memory. Get high quality stuff, and don't take it after about 4 pm...you won't sleep. It isn't a stimulant but will make your brain work overtime.

I think the 2.2 liters a day is a good guideline. But if you consume caffeinated beverages, are congested, taking a decongestant or exercising you should probably up your water intake to compensate.

Personally I try to consume 4 liters a day. Any more than that and the frequent trips to the w/c get old and I feel water logged. But upto that point I have noticed that my workouts go more easily and I am less prone to getting stuffed up even if my allergies are raging.

I usually drink about 4 to 5 (I'm 6'6" and 250 lbs. too), and I really sweat alot during workouts, so you'll have to figure out your best amount.

I agree with jeremiah about the caffeinated bev. and decongestants, drink a little more. It will also flush your body out to some degree.

Here's another trick (ancient chinese secret). The master's in china at the temples figured this out with coca cola (why they even thought about it i'm not sure, I guess HFCS is good for one thing)

When you are starting to get sick, as soon as you feel it, take one can of coca cola (reg.) warm it up in a small pot, squeeze juice fomr 1/2 a fresh lemon, until it little cooler than hot tea, and then drink as quickly as you can, (don't make it too hot). Drink that and wait for 15 mins and then do your workout, something that will make you sweat. You'll sweat so much you won't know what to do with yourself, and it flush your system out.

Your skin is the biggest eliminative organ in the body, so they do this to sweat out the cold before it happens. Worked for me, and it's worth a shot.