Training for Fat Loss During Cold Season

Is Cold Season Sabotaging Your Fitness Plan? – It Doesn’t Have To!

In order to effectively lose fat and turn your resolutions into results this year, you will have to overcome obstacles, bull doze through road blocks, and keep your eyes on the prize of a lean, healthy, and fit new you. That means in the coming weeks, you’ll have to master your family and work schedule to still make time for exercise, adapt new habits to beat cravings, and even learn to deal with cold and flu season.

Cold season has been responsible for sabotaging many fat loss programs but according to yesterday’s report on WFAA Channel 8, the common cold doesn’t have to stop your fat loss mission.

#1 Reason Why Cold Season Should Not Slow Down Your Fat Loss Efforts

According to several doctors and researchers from prestigious hospitals and universities (even the Mayo Clinic), you do not need to stop exercising when you catch a cold. Studies have shown no difference in exercise performance when comparing healthy individuals with individuals infected with a cold. Additionally, there was no evidence to prove that working out with a cold slowed down recovery. In some subjects, recovery was enhanced because of the adrenaline release that occurs during exercise. So the moral of the story is, if you have a cold, don’t stop exercising. You can still perform well and sweat just may help cure your cold. Lace up your sneakers and hit the gym, the trail, or boot camp class. Having a cold is no excuse to skip your exercise session and that’s great news for all of you who are serious about making 2009 your year of transformation.

Don’t Exercise If…

Although the common cold should not stop you from exercising, there are a few very good reasons to skip your session. If you have an illness that is accompanied by chest congestion, fever, or body ache, skip the exercise. These symptoms can be signs of more serious illness like the flu or pneumonia and exercising under these conditions could possibly make you worse.

Do These Things to Prevent Spreading or Catching a Cold While You Exercise

There are a few helpful tips I’d like to share to prevent you from spreading your cold or catching someone else’s during your exercise sessions.

#1 Wipe down cardio or weight machines before and after you use them. Be sure to pay special attention to handles and other places you will touch.


#2 Thoroughly wash your hands before and after your sessions.

#3 Use hand sanitizer if you accidentally touch a sweaty machine or weight during your session.

I’d love to hear from you if you have exercised your way through a cold. What activity made you feel best? Share your tips by clicking on the comment link at the ending of this post and typing your reply.