The ups and downs of weight lifting

Why why why does being sick make you so freaking weak?

I just lifted weights for the first time since I got sick about 10 days ago. I had to reduce weight a little, and my stamina was for crap. Overall at least 25 percent down. And although I'm having my period and realize some of this is just water, I've gained 7 pounds.  From lying around coughing and not sleeping. I mean, I haven't even been eating unusually.

I realize there's a scientific answer to this question. I realize, too, that our strength fluctuates with our menstrual cycle, and it's not actually unusual for me to struggle a bit at that time of the month. Still, the older I get, the harder it is to keep my muscle mass trending upward and my body fat going downward.

/whine

Comments

[KathyF]

I could have written this. I have to clean the house today, since the future dog sitter is coming over, and I don't want her to think we're pigs, but after being sick all weekend I can barely push a broom.

[April]

I hear ya. I don't know if it was because I wasn't sleeping enough as usual, I got nature's present, or both, but that week I was getting killed in wrestling practice. I don't know what worse. That, or going through practice with an extremely runny nose.