Sick and Cranky...

[Crankin]

I went through this when I was teaching 6-8 aerobics classes a week, as well as working full time, with 2 little kids. I constantly had swollen glands, sinus infections, bronchitis, and my asthma reared its head. I was also super skinny, and not from trying to lose weight. Oh, and I also got up at 4:15 AM 2-3 days a week to teach at the gym.
After a bout with heart palpitations, from lack of sleep and too much caffeine trying to sustain this lifestyle, I decided to cut my schedule of classes. The issue slowly resolved itself, after years of this. It was just plain over training and lack of down time. While I ride and do other sports now, I am very careful about my rest time, both physically and mentally. Being 20 years older helps, too!
Everyone is different. I know I couldn't keep up the training schedules some others here do, even though I might want to. Get a good physical and maybe a nutritional check up.

[Lesley_x]

I worry a lot about this as I'm not prone to bugs and things. I did wonder when I started cycling, is this going to make me sick more?

Is the increased susceptibility to viruses only in performance athletes or also those of us who are exercising casually?

It makes me wonder about the supposed health benefits of exercise.

[indysteel]

I worry a lot about this as I'm not prone to bugs and things. I did wonder when I started cycling, is this going to make me sick more?

Is the increased susceptibility to viruses only in performance athletes or also those of us who are exercising casually?

It makes me wonder about the supposed health benefits of exercise.

This is by no means intended to serve as an exhaustive answer to your question, but I thought I'd post it neverthless:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/1...oost-immunity/

From the studies cited, it sounds like "casual" regular exercise generally boosts your immunity, while extended, intense exercise actually lowers it, at least temporarily.

That said, there's far more to health that our suspectibility to colds and the flu, as serious as they can sometimes be. My mental health, for one, depends on regular exercise. And let's not even talk about my heart. I also firmly believe that if I have any hope of remaining vital and active as I age, I have to exercise now.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Thanks for the advice and info. One thing I've pinpointed is that although my diet in the last 3 months have gotten better with more whole foods added in and drinking one or two protein shakes a day (I'm trying to gain more weight), my anxiety levels from other things have spiked.

Its definitely tricky to manage because I can keep my anxiety in check as long as I train according to schedule which gives me more or less a structure to my day. But if I have to go off training for some reason, the lack of structure makes me really anxious, I can't manage it, it affects my ability to sleep or eat drastically which in turns keeps me off training for even longer and increases the anxiety some more. Its a big pain because of all the things I've tried to add some structure to my days and reduce anxiety, training is the only one which is really effective.

I've got a doctor's appointment slated in for sometime next week but that's making my anxiety levels spike through the roof as well. There's a part of me that's rolling its eyes at the amount of anxiety I have in my life...

[Crankin]

I've been through something similar. PM me if you want; but you might want to try some yoga on your "off" days. That will give you structure, calm you down, and certainly help balance out the cycling muscles. I'm a therapist in training and yoga is prescribed for anxiety just about as often as other things.

[indysteel]

Thanks for the advice and info. One thing I've pinpointed is that although my diet in the last 3 months have gotten better with more whole foods added in and drinking one or two protein shakes a day (I'm trying to gain more weight), my anxiety levels from other things have spiked.

Its definitely tricky to manage because I can keep my anxiety in check as long as I train according to schedule which gives me more or less a structure to my day. But if I have to go off training for some reason, the lack of structure makes me really anxious, I can't manage it, it affects my ability to sleep or eat drastically which in turns keeps me off training for even longer and increases the anxiety some more. Its a big pain because of all the things I've tried to add some structure to my days and reduce anxiety, training is the only one which is really effective.

I've got a doctor's appointment slated in for sometime next week but that's making my anxiety levels spike through the roof as well. There's a part of me that's rolling its eyes at the amount of anxiety I have in my life...

Hmmmm. At the risk of reading too much into what you've shared, it sounds like you have a lot going on--with my your mind and body. You mentioned therapy in another thread, so I'm assuming that you're working on some stuff. The best I can say is to keep at it. I would also second the yoga suggestion. No matter how wacky my schedule gets, I try to go to at least one yoga class because I know it'll be more restorative than just about anything else I could do.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Well, I've been working on a load of issues for years. This year was sort of a breakthrough for me in a way, making my way towards becoming less anxious and stuff like it. Kicking off my training and starting to race was part of the plan to help me learn some coping skills and just blow off steam. Yoga sounds good. I've always loved the beach and riding the roads early in the morning because there's a very calming effect to it.

[Lesley_x]

This is by no means intended to serve as an exhaustive answer to your question, but I thought I'd post it neverthless:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/1...oost-immunity/

From the studies cited, it sounds like "casual" regular exercise generally boosts your immunity, while extended, intense exercise actually lowers it, at least temporarily.

That said, there's far more to health that our suspectibility to colds and the flu, as serious as they can sometimes be. My mental health, for one, depends on regular exercise. And let's not even talk about my heart. I also firmly believe that if I have any hope of remaining vital and active as I age, I have to exercise now.

Thanks for posting that, it was really interesting. And I agree, it wouldn't stop me cycling as the other longer term health benefits outweigh getting the sniffles a little more!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Alexis the tiny-
I pick up on repeated references to weight and eating... someone you know suggesting you gain weight, certain days that you say you 'can't eat at all', dizziness, fatigue, and your saying that you are trying to gain weight.
Pushing one's body to 'train' and exercise more and more while not giving it enough nourishing food and calories to build muscle and maintain good health can result in serious illness that will also show effects including dizziness, 'incredible tiredness', sleep problems, getting frequent colds and flus, etc.
I hope you are smart enough to try to get further professional help for these issues and help in managing your anxiety levels. Good luck to you on your quest for wellbeing, young woman.

[PamNY]

I've found yoga very helpful -- and it doesn't take much. I had constant minor ailments when I was stressed by serious illness in the family. Yoga really helped. Good luck!

[alexis_the_tiny]

BleeckerSt Girl, yes, until last year, I was on the scale of being severely underweight due to a combination of genes, having been a very sick kid and some issues with control. Training is actually great for me because I can channel my energy into something more productive like making sure I'm eating well and making sure I'm gaining some weight every week or so. I have a therapist I've been working with for 3 years and I'm still seeing her. It makes alot of difference having professional help when it comes to anxiety management.