Cold Season as RX’d

It’s getting to be that time of year again.  As we transition from the brisk, mild days of autumn to the downright cold and dark winter months, the common cold becomes that much more common.  We’ve all had it before, and the symptoms (headache/fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy/runny nose) are more annoying than anything else.  Sick sucks.  Generally it won’t take you out of your daily rhythm, it’ll just make everything, including exercise seem more difficult.

There’s no cure for the common cold, but there are steps we can take to avoid catching one (or letting one catch us), that can also aid in fighting it off, should a cold get a hold on us.

• Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer.  The cold virus is most readily transmitted via direct contact.

• Sleep.  Make it your goal to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.  Sleep gives our bodies a chance to recharge and recover.  We want to do it anyway to boost our performance, and it also helps keep us healthy.

• Eat.  Fuel yourself to support your daily activity level, and this time of year throw in a little extra to help your body fight off whatever nastiness is coming at it.  I like to get as much as possible of my daily requirement of vitamins and minerals from real food, so that means mixing in a variety of fruits and vegetables in many different colors.  Taste the rainbow, paleo style.

• Listen to your body.  As CrossFitters we don’t want to miss an opportunity to train, but sometimes the extra rest will be far more beneficial (I’m working on this too).  Being in close proximity to anyone with a cold, especially in an enclosed space allows the virus to spread more easily.  The last things you want to do are make your symptoms worse, or come into the box and get your CrossFit family sick.  It’s better to get better faster, so take that extra rest day should you need it, and keep your cold at home.

November 8, 2011
Strength: Front Squat 2-2-2-2-2-2

WOD:
10 Kettlebell Swings (32kg/24kg)
1 Strict Pull-up (no kipping)
9 Kettlebell Swings
2 Strict Pull-ups
8 Kettlebell Swings
3 Strict Pull-ups
7 Kettlebell Swings
4 Strict Pull-ups
6 Kettlebell Swings
5 Strict Pull-ups
5 Kettlebell Swings
6 Strict Pull-ups
4 Kettlebell Swings
7 Strict Pull-ups
3 Kettlebell Swings
8 Strict Pull-ups
2 Kettlebell Swings
9 Strict Pull-ups
1 Kettlebell Swing
10 Strict Pull-ups

Compare to 101108