why are so many of you getting the flu?

[grlpwrd]

I haven't been seriously ill lately though I have kids hacking and blowing their noses all around me a lot - kids from my kids' school and Girl Scouts. I just carry a bottle of hand sanitizer and clean my hands wherever I go and never touch my face. I haven't been ill for a long time - since last year - but I remember how terrible I get when I do contract something. I'd rather be obsessive about the hand sanitizer than suffer. lol

 

[wilson6]

"I don't overtrain anymore as I have zero desire to compete. "

But you don't have to overtrain in order to compete.

W6

 

[Bikini Mod]

You are right Wilson.... I realized that sounded silly after the fact and just never bothered to "fix" it.

I guess that the sentiment that I was trying to express is that since I am no longer driven by the notion of pushing myself to the edge in order to compete, I have finally settled in to a body that though is not stellar by competitive standards AT ALL, is one that I am pleased with and proud of.

Would it be REAL SWEET if my legs were bigger? Yes. Would it be bitchin if my shoulders actually existed? HELL YEAH. But, it ain't happenin' as it is no longer high on my list of priorities.

I just can't see myself beating the crap out of my body for a trophy. Been there, done that and though I never have and never will possess a physique that will even BEGIN to compare the likes of AMAZING (as my old training partner), I am happy with what I got. I have the knowledge on how to "tweak" a bit here and there, to add a bit of mass or lose a little fat/water and it's all good.

I am sorry if this sounds complacent. But I am now focusing my goals on punishing my body in NEW ways! LOL

 

[Puddles]

Are you getting enough sleep? enough good food? I went through years of one cold/upper respitory/ear infection/bronchitis and even walking pneumonia. All because of lack of rest (overtraining), lack of sleep and not eating nearly enough.

Dr. Kinimom,

Not enough sleep, but that's an ongoing thing with me. I've been prescribed sleeping pills in the past, but they make me feel so weak and tired through the day that it's worse than not sleeping. Food intake is fine and healthy. I know it's a bit of upper resp. infection but I'm letting my body fight it. I'm not coughing much and it's just annoying, mostly in my sinuses...it'll clear up and if not, then I'll consider antibiotics, but I"m gonna give it a little while longer. My body doesn't react well to antibiotics (yeast and diverticulitis problems). Doubt I'm overtraining...5 days a week outta 7. Overall, I feel wonderful, I didn't even get too pissy during my last PMS week. LOL

Now...please mail the bill for this office visit to my husband.

 

[2Shy]

Mrs. Puddles, I wonder if you have allergies? I had symptoms similar to yours for (this is embarrassing!) over three years. I'd get sick, see the doctor, sometimes get antibiotics, get better ... a month or two later, I'd be sick again. This kept happening. It got to the point that when I came into work I'd be coughing so loudly and horribly that the receptionist upstairs (who couldn't see me) would call down: "Hello, 2Shy!" lol Well, she didn't say "2Shy" but you catch my drift.

Doctor sent me to an ENT and I had all sorts of tests. They thought I might have asthma. Finally, the ENT sent me to an allergist even though I had never had allergies in my life. Well, let me tell you, they pricked my back with just about everything. Turns out I was allergic to bluegrass (the plant, not the music), maples (there were 3 in our yard) many, many kinds of trees. Worst, I was allergic to dust and cats--both of which I had plenty of!

The allergist explained that my symptoms came back due to the dust allergy and had to do with the life cycle of those creepy little dust mites. I started on shots (though I have discontinued those).

I also had a chronic sinus infection that would get worse and better along with the allergies. I had never completely gotten over it. It would lessen just enough for me to feel better, but then with weather or more mites, it would worsen. Hence, I'd get "sick" again.

With massive antibiotics, a steroid shot and steroids, I finally whipped the sinus infection. I am prone to them due to my allergies and the narrowness of my sinus cavities.

Anyway, if you have not considered allergies (I denied I had any for years) you might want to have them checked.

BTW, I still have cats, dust, and dogs.

 

[Puddles]

I have a cat, pleanty of dust, and I'm surrounded by trees here...a nice little swampy forest behind my house. LOL Hubby just changed the air filters in the house so maybe it'll help somewhat. I had bad sinus problems from when I was a teenager until a few years ago when I had surgery. The doc removed polyps and enlarged the sinus cavity...haven't had a sinus infection since then, but I can feel some aggrivation in there right now...first time in years.

 

[BeeUnique]

My .02 on getting sick is I hate medicine. Everytime I take anything I have some reaction! If I do get sick, I will get a cold maybe once a year.
I am a firm believer in disinfecting your work area (phone, keyboards, etc) often. You know in the workplace, the bathrooms are usually cleaner than the break areas. Think twice about touching the microwave & refrig handles. I wash my hands often and I try to avoid touching my face (unless I just washed my hands).
I prefer the herbal approach instead of DR prescribed meds. I recently discovered a blend of herbs in a capsul called "Cold Snap" found at most health food stores. Best to take the moment you feel an illness coming on and take it several times a day.....it restores your righteous chi
Not sure if it really works, but I feel better when I take it and I seem to get over it in a couple days.
I also take acidophulus a few times a week....helps keep the intestinal tract moving along

 

[circusgirl]

Since I started weight training (as opposed to other sports) I have not caught the cold or the flu. I used to get a cold or something 2-3 times a year before that.