Your motivation is high, you are starting to see results, and BAM one afternoon you start to sniffle. It can feel frustrating and depressing. But remember, you are doing an amazing job preventing disease by eating a diet of whole foods and committing to your workouts! Unfortunately, some of these bugs are just persistent. 

So how do you take care of yourself and stay motivated through a sickness?

1. Stay hydrated. If you’ve been around here long, you may think I am a broken record when it comes to the benefits of proper hydration. When you are sick, it’s important to be intentional about getting enough water and liquids to help your body function properly.  Bone broth and herbal hot teas can also be a comforting way to hydrate and replenish fluids and electrolytes. 
2. Eat as you can and keep your focus on whole foods. Immune-boosting whole foods like fresh vegetables, leafy greens, herbs, and fruits can provide you with the vitamins and minerals you need to recover from your illness. 
3. Ease back into your workout routine with gentle movement like stretching and walks. Start with less intense and shorter workouts right after an illness. Listen to your body and be patient. You don’t want to push too soon too fast. Work your way back up to your previous routine.
4. Manage your mindset. Focus on what you CAN DO and not what you CAN’T. You might not feel well enough to crush a leg day workout, but you can still choose whole food meals. Or hit your water goals. Your focus on restoring your health will only help you in the long run.  
5. Rest. The FASTer Way principles incorporate REST on a weekly basis. And if you aren’t feeling your best, we’d encourage you to lean more into rest. Give your body a chance to recover so you can come back stronger! 

You might be wondering if you should even work out when you are not feeling your best. First, I’ll say, consult your doctor if you have any concerns, but a little research from mayoclinic.com gives a few guidelines to follow.

“Exercise is usually OK if your symptoms are above the neck, minor runny nose or sore throat.”

“Don’t exercise if you have a fever, fatigue, or widespread muscle aches. “

Remember, you don’t have to give up on all of your healthy habits when you are sick, you can adjust! The bottom line, listen to your body and take care of