Oh no, I’m sick…now what?

Coach Rochelle Griffin 

Dating back to the 1500’s, the old wives’ saying “Feed a cold, starve a fever” has been passed down from generation to generation.  What does one do about the workout, however? Is it “Feed a cold, starve a fever, skip the workout?” Or perhaps “Feed a cold, starve a fever, do the workout come hell or high water?” Well, we need to figure it out because it’s that time of year again. Bring on the cold weather, the germs, the colds, the flu, and the rest of ailments that like to plague us in late fall and winter. If you wake up feeling under the weather, what are you supposed to do about your workout? Let’s look at a general rule of thumb, plus at some tips to keep the germs at bay in the first place.

Here is the general rule of thumb summed up in a single sentence: Listen to your body to determine whether or not you should workout. It’s true.

Typically if you are running a fever, you will be chilled and have no energy. If this is you, skip the workout. Take your fever-reducing medication, drink a lot of fluids, plop yourself on the coach or in the bed, and rest. A fever is your body’s signal that it’s fighting something off for you. Let it do its job. Pushing through a workout makes you run the risk of increasing your temperature and making yourself sicker

If you are fever-free but have the sniffles, it’s ok to workout. Choose a less intense routine while sick if you don’t have energy. If, on the other hand, you have a respiratory infection and are coughing or having trouble breathing, you are better off to skip the workout. When in any doubt about what to do, consult your physician first.

Now let’s take the pro-active approach and work towards NOT getting sick this season. Remember, I’m speaking to you not only as a coach but also as a RN.

1. Wash your hands! Such an easy task, one that we say over and over to our children, but we often overlook. Washing hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is key. Singing Happy Birthday through twice is a great way to track the seconds. When in doubt, wash!

2. Take Herbal Immune Boost at the first sign of any illness. Feel a tickle in the back of your throat? Start taking it. You can take 2 at a time up to 3 times per day. Many times it has stopped the beginning of a cold in its tracks for me. I personally take 2 per day prophylactically during cold and flu season.

3. Drink your Shakeology every single day. Look, let’s get real, shall we? Many of our foods today are genetically altered, factory-made representations of what used to be. Our nutrition is not where it should be. As a result our immune systems are compromised. When we don’t give our bodies what’s needed, we shouldn’t be surprised when we easily come down with the “illness of the week.” Shakeology puts back into our body all of the nutrients that our foods are devoid of.

4. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Yes, I understand that this is another basic tip, but many people overlook their nutrition (refer back to #3.) Again the more that we nourish ourselves, the stronger our immune system will be.

I can honestly tell you that, since implementing the 4 above tips, I haven’t had a respiratory illness, except for something very mild, for over a year. I don’t believe that it’s coincidence. Hands down, it’s because of what I choose to put into my body. My hope for you is that you are also able to get through the cold and flu season unscathed. You now have tools to make it so. Here’s to our health!

To Living Your Best Life,

Rochelle Griffin, RN BSN FDN-P

Rochelle Griffin, The Wellness Detective™, is a Registered Nurse (with over 22 years experience) & a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition™ Practitioner who has transitioned her love for fitness, health, & freedom into a 7-figure International company that now helps others live Their Best Life.

She founded Your Best Life, Inc with her husband Keith after stepping onto the edge of physical ruin with her health & the health of their young son. Having experienced a complete turn-around, they now desire to give hope & support to those who are dissatisfied with their current situation.

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