When you’re battling a cold, your body can feel like a house after a raucous party: completely disordered. Your eyes may be swollen, the skin around your nose might be sore and red, and your lips could be chapped. Additionally, there are discarded tissues everywhere. Food might taste awful because of post-nasal drip, and you could feel weak from not eating much over the past few days. Yet, stepping on the scale reveals you’ve gained weight! It’s an unexpected twist.
We often think we’ll shed pounds when we’re under the weather, but that’s not always true. Weight loss during illnesses like the stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, is common, often due to dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea (according to VeryWellFit). With a head cold, however, symptoms like nasal congestion, headaches, sore throat, and fatigue are prevalent, and consuming plenty of fluids is key to recovery (via WebMD). If you were aiming to lose weight before falling ill, nutritious foods like salads and grilled chicken might have been swapped for comfort foods like noodles, potatoes, and hot tea with honey. Additionally, those with colds may opt out of their usual exercise routines (according to LiveStrong). These lifestyle adjustments can contribute to a higher number on the scale.
Focus on getting well, rather than on temporary scale fluctuations
Experts emphasize that weight loss due to illness is not a healthy or sustainable means to reach your fitness goals. “Whether you’re dealing with influenza or a gastrointestinal virus, you’re usually losing a lot of fluid and not eating as much. Most of that weight loss is dehydration,” explained David Beuther, M.D., a pulmonologist at National Jewish Health, to SELF. “I wouldn’t advise anyone to see how much weight they can lose while sick. If anything, they should focus on gaining weight” to restore the energy needed for quicker recovery, he advised.
This might involve skipping or reducing your usual calorie-burning workouts until you’re fully recovered, experts suggest. Exercising with a common cold isn’t necessarily bad if you have the energy and mild symptoms, but if you’re experiencing a fever, severe cough, or extreme fatigue, listen to your body and rest. “Resting and staying hydrated by drinking fluids are crucial for recovery,” said Catherine Liu, M.D., associate professor of clinical medicine in the division of infectious diseases at the University of California, San Francisco, to Everyday Health. Prioritize recovering from a cold; you can focus on your weight loss goals once you’re healthy again.
