I saw my doctor this morning for a bronchial infection. He told me not to exercise--not even to lift weights--for a solid week. Why? Because there's a possibility of pneumonia or even "sudden death" from this kind of exertion. As he put it, I'd probably be fine, but there is a small but statistically significant risk.

Huh?? A whole week? By then not only will I have gained weight but I will be a mental basket case.

What do you all think? Is there ANYTHING I can do, like yoga or Pilates?

so I don't know what it was he heard, or what he knows about your risk profile.

Moderate yoga ought to be pretty much OK. What about walking the dog, or laps around the block? Don't get too far away from home so it's easy to decide to quit, and quit the minute you start breathing hard.

You might be surprised how quickly you get tired when you're sick.

I'd listen to the Doctor. Why take the chance when it's only for a week. It could be good for you. The recovery time may just make you stronger. Did you know that most powerlifters won't workout for a week before a competition. It makes them stronger by giving the muscles time to rest and rebuild.

Arnie

Thanks, guys. They just phoned me with test results and I already have pneumonia, so I guess I will have to take it easy for the time being.

Hope you recover soon. Just keep eating LC and you'll be Okay. And a few pounds don't compare with getting better. Follow the Doctor's orders and get some rest. Antibiotics can make you tired. So can being sick.

I've had pneumonia. I couldn't even walk slowly without running out of breath. Take care of yourself and I hope you're feeling better real soon.

Arnie

Thank you all so much! I actually don't feel very bad at all--I guess the meds have already made a difference. But I will take everyone's advice and go slowly for the next few days.

You all know what it's like--once you start exercising, it's terribly addictive, and it feels awful to stop. How ironic, considering that I'd been avoiding exercise for years,