I had been working out since May and taken only one day off of physical activity. I then learned that a recovery week would probably be the best thing to get past the plateau I was on. Against the advice of my peers I up'd my carbs and cals to get my body away from the clean food I had been eating for the sake of shocking my body (ex. Instead of a chicken breast I would eat at Subway or instead of Oatmeal I ate High Protien Cereal Types). I kept the protien high (1.5 x body weight) and the water at no less than 2 Gallons per day. Turns out I gained about 5 pounds of muscle and 2 pounds of fat. The day I was suppose to come back I got the Flu. If what the medical community says is right than that means by the time I come back I will have had 3 weeks off since my last full speed workout.

What I want to know is:
1. When you get the Flu how long does it take to breathe normally again?

2. When will Muscular Atrophy kick in and how can I prevent it?

3. How easy is it to get the muscle back with such a long layoff?

4. When will I be able to do HITT again?

I had been working out since May and taken only one day off of physical activity. I then learned that a recovery week would probably be the best thing to get past the plateau I was on. Against the advice of my peers I up'd my carbs and cals to get my body away from the clean food I had been eating for the sake of shocking my body (ex. Instead of a chicken breast I would eat at Subway or instead of Oatmeal I ate High Protien Cereal Types). I kept the protien high (1.5 x body weight) and the water at no less than 2 Gallons per day. Turns out I gained about 5 pounds of muscle and 2 pounds of fat. The day I was suppose to come back I got the Flu. If what the medical community says is right than that means by the time I come back I will have had 3 weeks off since my last full speed workout.

What I want to know is:
1. When you get the Flu how long does it take to breathe normally again?

2. When will Muscular Atrophy kick in and how can I prevent it?

3. How easy is it to get the muscle back with such a long layoff?

4. When will I be able to do HITT again?

Mando,

Recovering from the flu all depends on how you treat yourself. You need to drink fluids, get plenty of sleep, and take meds. If you do not see any improvement in 3-5 days I would see a doctor who might prescribe you anti-viral medication.

It is hard to pinpoint when you would breathe normally again but I think anywhere from 10 - 20 days after you get symptoms sounds reasonable. Remember the Flu takes alot out of you.

When you say muscle atrophy that refers to the wasting of muscle tissue from disease or lack of use this does not apply in your situation. Please note when I say lack of use in it's most extreme form from being bed ridden and in s sedentary jobs for years not 3 weeks. Will you lose something - yea probably but I do not see anything more then 10% if that. Remember your body is getting rest and you will be surprised when you get back into your routine how quickly you will regain your strength.

In regards to how quick you should get back into it - it is all up to how you feel. When your symptoms do not appear anymore and you are gtting stir crazy on the couch do a light cardio workout. Does not even need to be HIIT. Go for a walk even see how you feel when you raise that heart rate ever so slightly.

BOTTOM LINE: Relax, your body is telling you something. Rest, Rest, Rest and your body will reward you.

Good luch :tu:

Thanks a lot man. That was the best advice anyone's given me. Its great when you can get answers to the real questions you want answered

And remember to get that flu shot by October every year. Costs just $25 in my area, covered 100% by health insurance. Protects you for a year. I got mine last week.

No problem. If you want a flu shot go here locator (http://flucliniclocator.org/)

I hate flu shots. They are a joke. They make lots of money for the pharmaceutical giants and insurance companies and that's about it. Talk about scare tactics- how about watching the news during flu season when every other story is actually an advertisement for the pharmaceutical industry. These shots are made from last years most prevalant strain of the flu bug. They don't protect you from this years! People who got the shot still get the flu all the time, while people who didn't get the shot often don't get the flu. I've never got the shot and can't remember ever getting the flu. God knows what types of preservatives they put in those vaccines... I'm sure I''ll get flamed for this... But it is TRUE!

Well aren't you immune after you get it?

Well aren't you immune after you get it?

You will be highly resistant to the exact strain you have now after you recover. Next year they will be making vaccines from the same flu you have now (if that flu bug is the big winner this year.) You will already have immunity to that flu and so will everyone else who gets it this year. Why do you need that shot next year then? Next year the virus will have mutated anyway and not many people will have an immunity to it whether or not they got the flu this year or the vaccine next year. So what's the point? MONEY!

I hate flu shots. They are a joke. They make lots of money for the pharmaceutical giants and insurance companies and that's about it. Talk about scare tactics- how about watching the news during flu season when every other story is actually an advertisement for the pharmaceutical industry. These shots are made from last years most prevalant strain of the flu bug. They don't protect you from this years! People who got the shot still get the flu all the time, while people who didn't get the shot often don't get the flu. I've never got the shot and can't remember ever getting the flu. God knows what types of preservatives they put in those vaccines... I'm sure I''ll get flamed for this... But it is TRUE!

I think you're trying to beat science here. From my knowledge, Vaccinations 'prevent' occurence of a disease. The vaccine helps the body develop antibodies so that in case the virus does enter the body (the person catches flu), the body has a mechanism to get rid of it.

If this was a scam, I dont think that the government and insurance industries would so actively support it.

Were you actually diagnosed with the flu? I just heard on the news this morning that there have only been a few cases confirmed so far this year. Just curious.

I've had a flu shot before and gotten the flu. Not from the shot- but just because the flu starined they tried to prevent is not what people got.

If this was a scam, I dont think that the government and insurance industries would so actively support it.

:lol: :lol: :lol:
That's a good one!

Were you actually diagnosed with the flu? I just heard on the news this morning that there have only been a few cases confirmed so far this year. Just curious.

I've had a flu shot before and gotten the flu. Not from the shot- but just because the flu starined they tried to prevent is not what people got.

Ya, influenza vaccine is not a live vaccine, so although you were immunised, there are still potentially other strains of the flu in the community, which you can still be infected by. The influenza virus has a unique ability to be able to change its surface structure, so that the virus is not recognised by the body's immune system. I guess this is how epidemics, and pandemics occur.

But, without trying to sound like I'm discrediting how you're feeling, is it the flu, or just a bad cold?

Both influenza and the common cold are highly contagious, and both are spread by coughing and sneezing. The flu, however, lasts 7 to 10 days, and can cause high fever, chills, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, and a cough.

A cold often has very similar symptoms, but the fever is milder, the symptoms pass much quicker (within 1 to 2 days, wheras the flu symptoms last for up to a week) and a cold often starts with a runny nose, wheras the flu typically initially is associated with a 'dry' feeling in the nose and throat.

Having said that, management is very much the same. Go easy, easy on the body, drink plenty of fluids (your body needs water now) eat well and rest. If it is the flu, and a trip to the doctor will confirm this- stay in bed until your temperature gets back to normal. Just try not to cough/sneeze/breath on anyone in the waiting room!

As for the vaccine, well, my feelings are mixed. Generally here it is recommended for people over the age of 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people with heart and liver disease, and people with surpressed immune systems, etc. We don't have the same level of pharmaceutical advertising on tv as I understand you guys do, so the flu vaccine is not something that is really pushed on to the greater community.

I would, however, recommend having booster shots for some of those things you got immunised against as a kid, because they 'wear off'- I've got to organise a booster for whooping cough/diptheria/tetanus vaccine, for example, because my last one was when I was a kid.

So why not vaccinate against the cold? Apparently there are over 200 different viruses that can cause the symptoms we associate with a cold. So it's just not possible.
And why not take anti-biotics? Because it's a virus, and anti-biotics, though often prescribed, don't work. They work on bacterial infections.

Over-the-counter products can relieve symptoms, but nothing works better than rest.

Hope this helps!

:gl:

I hate flu shots. They are a joke. They make lots of money for the pharmaceutical giants and insurance companies and that's about it. Talk about scare tactics- how about watching the news during flu season when every other story is actually an advertisement for the pharmaceutical industry. These shots are made from last years most prevalant strain of the flu bug. They don't protect you from this years! People who got the shot still get the flu all the time, while people who didn't get the shot often don't get the flu. I've never got the shot and can't remember ever getting the flu. God knows what types of preservatives they put in those vaccines... I'm sure I''ll get flamed for this... But it is TRUE!


Travis, Travis, Travis. There seem to always be one in the group. Not everyone is out to get you/us. Flu shots are not a joke. True Influenza A and B kill on average 36,000 Americans a year. That is not a small number. It will decrease your chance of getting the "flu" by about 80% and if you do get the flu it will be a much milder course. And for it wearing off, yes and no. Immnity can wane as time progresses and the influenza virus mutates just like the cold virus so get it every year in October or November.

Northern and Southern hemispheres have opposite seasons so the 3 most common strains of influenza are used to make the "new" vaccine each season in the respective hemispheres. Much if what Kate says is very true. Colds and Influenza are viruses and supportive, palleative treatment is all that is warranted. Rest, liquids and Motrin are what is needed. The "flu" can last 14+ days and the research on antivirals (i.e. tamaflu, etc) show very poor results. If started in the 1st 24-48 hours of symptoms they have the "potential" of decreasing the intensity and duration of the illness by about a day. Not too earth shatering and they have side effects of their own.

As far as who can get the vaccine it is almost anyone and everyone over 6 months. If you have a chronic illness (i.e. diabetes, asthma, heart disease, etc) I would highly reccommend the vaccine. The vaccine is not a "live virus" so you can not get the illness from the shot itself.

Everyone needs to stop watching the news, and all media for that matter, when it comes to influenza, avian flu, SARS, Ebola, Hanta virus, small pox, and all other forms of communicable diseases. Much of it is misinformation and tends to just instill fear. Talk to your doctor if you have questions, otherwise be happy and keep lifting. I am writting from experience and have been practicing Emergency Medicine 8 years.

Travis, Travis, Travis. There seem to always be one in the group. Not everyone is out to get you/us. Flu shots are not a joke. True Influenza A and B kill on average 36,000 Americans a year. That is not a small number. It will decrease your chance of getting the "flu" by about 80% and if you do get the flu it will be a much milder course. And for it wearing off, yes and no. Immnity can wane as time progresses and the influenza virus mutates just like the cold virus so get it every year in October or November.

As far as who can get the vaccine it is almost anyone and everyone over 6 months. If you have a chronic illness (i.e. diabetes, asthma, heart disease, etc) I would highly reccommend the vaccine. The vaccine is not a "live virus" so you can not get the illness from the shot itself.

I am writting from experience and have been practicing Emergency Medicine 8 years.

I still support my position. I do not expect a physician to agree with it of course! You are well trained in the established medical practices of the day, of which includes vaccinations against many illnesses.

I do not appreciate your patronizing tone or the insinuation that I am some kind of conspiracy theorist however. Is that how you speak to your patients when they disagree with one of your methods? :mad:

No need to get upset. :tucool: Many people have many differing opinions and assimilate information from various sources to make these opinions. The media have a propensity to influence people in extrodinary ways. Much of the laymen information out there is from the media or other nonprofessional "opinions". Many here become enraged when someone puts their opinion or what works for them in a post and they get flamed by the vets about it. I didn't flame you or intend to insult you in any way. I was just pointing out, in a joking manner, that many have suspisions and doubts about government, media, health care, or who ever they think is "the establishment". Some are founded and some are not. I chimmed in with my professional opinion and was commending Kate on her accurate and informative apraisal of the topic. No more no less. Like all information here we are a community that is here to help each other in various area of fitness and health. Wether that is diet, lifting, cardio, encoragement, male, female, etc. And like all information you can either take it or leave it. Do with it what you like. :tu:


You have given me advice in other areas Travis and I have taken some of it and used it. You can do the same with my advice/opinions.

Now does everyone get the fatigue and tiredness that last two to three weeks or is it the donut inhaling, Coca-cola hydrating, McDonald loving, pencil pushers that never workout and tell us we're lazy and vain. I still have the flu but I'm getting better by the day.

Travis, Travis, Travis. There seem to always be one in the group.

I was speaking about this part of your post which was decidedly distasteful to my ears.

I have no problem with your opinion and I respect the work you have put in to become an emergency physician. I find what you do the be extremely beneficial to individuals and society and I think emergency medecine is the single best part of western medecine. I just don't like to be talked down to like that, MD or not.

No need to get upset. Many people have many differing opinions and assimilate information from various sources to make these opinions.

I'll be the judge of whether or not I should be upset.

I never said I had a problem with your professional opinion, I simply disagreed. I enjoy differing opinions and that is one of the wonderful things about JSF, you get to hear many sides of the issues.

I chimmed in with my professional opinion and was commending Kate on her accurate and informative apraisal of the topic.

Thanks :D I was really careful with that post, and clearly someone appreciated it, which is great. Makes it all worthwhile. This guy (http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s1453920.htm) is a bit of a hero of mine. Peter Doherty, that is, (though I guess I could say I feel the same way about the interviewer, but that's for totally different reasons)...and I feel really geeky for saying so. :o