Exercising while sick? Use the Above/Below the Neck Rule!

I brought back many fabulous things with me from my Christmas vacation....leather bags and silver jewlery from Mexico, outlet shopping finds from Oregon, and a few favourites from the store I heart - Target. Unfortunately, I also brought back a horrible hacking cough that has stayed with me.

It all started when I began to get a bith of a choking feeling in my throat while in Tijuana. Of course I thought it may have just been the exhaust fumes so I ignored the tickle. I shouldn't have. Now it's a full fledged cough that keeps me up at night and makes my morning and nights quite trying.

Worst part is that it's kept me away from the gym!!! That's right - today is the 7th of January, 2008 and I have yet to go to the gym this year!!!!! It's starting to drive me a bit crazy and I'm also starting to fear my inactivity coupled with my recent vacation will begin to show around my waistline.

So how do you know if it's okay to exercise while sick? Well according to the Mayo Clinic, you shold use the above/below the neck rule. It's pretty easy to remember and should help all of you determine whether or not it's okay to work out. Basically if your symptoms are above the neck (i.e.: runny nose or sore throat) it's okay to exercise. If, however, your symptoms are below the neck (i.e.: tummy aches or hacking coughs) you should stay away from exercising.

I guess that means yours truly will have to wait to begin her runs for the new year. Either that or I'll just have to go to sleep and hope that the symptoms somehow migrate to above the neck.

Somehow I doubt it though..........