Fab Fit Squad

This weekend I caught my 1st hopefully last cold of the year! I can trace this cold back to getting run down, I have been burning the candle at both ends and skimping on my sleep. Guess what it caught up with me! Here are 5 natural immune system boosters in case you’re someone is also burning the candle at both ends.

1. Eat more mushrooms and green leafy veggies. Research shows that increases your white blood cells (germ fighters) and potentially makes these white blood cells more resistant to cold/flu bacteria.
2. Be social. Having people to turn to during times of stress, reduces your chances of internalizing stress and breaking down your immune system.
3. Chicken soup. No one’s quite sure how chicken soup helps, its either the raising steam from the soup that opens your nasal passages or the hot liquid soothes your throat.
4. Add lemon. Lemons increase the PH acidity in your body making it a less hospitable environment for cold and flu germs to grow.
5. Rest. Get a good night sleep. Your body needs it. Sleep restores your body’s hormonal balance and recharges your batteries.  Studies show that people who don’t get at least 6-10 hours of sleep will be 3xs more likely to catch a cold.

So, take care of yourself, the holidays are fast approaching and blowing your nose at the dinner table is frowned upon. If you have any other suggestions, I would love to hear them, just write them in the comments below.

When you are sick, moderate exercise is permissible. In fact research shows that people who exercise regularly a get sick less frequently, but there does come a time when you are too sick to workout.

• We’ve all hear the above the neck  rule — stuffy nose, scratchy throat, headache– you are okay to workout if you feel up to it.
• If you have a fever, congestion or feel achy stay home! It may be
  something more serious than the common cold

If you do decide to keep working make sure you stay hydrated, over the counter drugs and/or prescription drugs may leave you dehydrated and a little light headed. Be extra careful and make sure you are wiping down machines before and after using and be sure not to touch your face.  Keep your eye on your activity level, now isn’t the time to push it.

Urban myth alert — There is no evidence that you can run or sweat out a cold.

5 ways to avoid catching a cold.

Since last March all we have heard back is the SWINE! Swine flu, this and swine flu that. So winters coming and flu season will be upon us,here are some steps to avoid catching it and/or spreading the flu

1. cover your mouth when cough or sneeze — use a tissue or cough/sneeze into your shoulder
2. wash your hands frequently with hot water and soap
3. avoid contact with anyone who is sick
4. if you are sick STAY home
5. make sure you are eating and sleeping

Top 10 things you need to know about the swine

Hey it happens, last Saturday I woke up with WORST stiff neck in my life, Monday I had a scratchy throat and by Wednesday I felt like death warmed over.  There was no working out this week, I was bearly getting out of bed.  I offically gave myself a break and said that if I didn’t focus on getting well my cold would linger or develop into something worse.  Here we are Sunday again, and I’m feeling better just a little congestion. So I will slowly wade into the water next week.  With the wacky temp’s that we have going on in Boston we are all going to get sick, so don’t sweat it. Give yourself the time you need to heal.  Plus no one wants your cooties.