Healthy GI Lifestyle

Exercise Rhinitis – Allergy attack after exercising without any previous allergy symptoms.

Recently, my husband and I started having allergy symptoms after we exercise. It started after working out at the gym at 4 a.m. on a brisk winter morning with no pollen or wind to blow any allergens our way. We had no symptoms on the way to the gym and enjoyed our work out, but both of us noticed that our noses began to itch and swell and run on the way home. By the time we reached our house we were both sneezing repeatedly. We grabbed the Claritin and thought it would take care of the problem. It took almost 12 hours to get the itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing under control. At that point I was sure we had both inhaled some kind of chemical at the gym or were exposed to something along the way. The Claritin wasn’t working as well as we needed it to, but we were pretty sure it was a one-off situation and planned to go ahead with the next morning’s 4 a.m. workout. That next morning repeated the same scenario as the first and each time we have worked out since that fateful morning we have had the same situation occur. After the first week of dealing with this, the fluid from the allergic reaction caused a severe sinus infection and I had to lay off of my workout for about 2 weeks. I started working out again and used Zyrtec instead of Claritin and still suffered with the allergic reaction after each workout. The Zyrtec was extremely drying and caused a combination sinus and ear infection. After discussing the situation with my doctor he put me and my husband on Flonase. He suggested Flonase because it is much less likely to cause the sinus infections the Zyrtec causes. He also suggests cooling down for 10 minutes or longer if possible, although for many people who suffer from this type of allergic reaction, the long cool down period may not help, but its worth the effort and beneficial to our muscles. The Exercise Rhinitis is an actual histimine reaction - just like any other allergic reaction. It will cause a few set-backs but can be managed with the help of an understanding physician and you’ll be back to your exercise routine in no time.

: Common Minor Set-backs

Flirting with Spring

    

          I’ve been flirting with Spring for months or has Spring been flirting with me? Whichever it is, it has been a very superficial and illusive relationship and I’m soooo ready for Spring to be here for good!  I always look forward to Spring-time because I can get out of the gym and finally exercise outdoors. This year we had some wonderfully warm days in February followed by very cold days, with the same repeated in March. Each time I got into a great routine outside I’d get sidelined by allegies, sinus infections, or extreme cold weather. I’ve finally found a great way to quit flirting and start focusing so that when Spring decides to show up for sure I’ll be ready to go.

     I love walking and jogging on the local bike path, but I’m not a cold weather person.  Each time it gets warm I work up to a little bit of a jog – yes, I’m not much of a runner!  After working up to a 2 mile jog, the cold weather chases me back into the gym and I’m set back and frustrated.  So here’s how I plan to focus for Spring. I’ve decided to run some 5K Fun/Runs this Spring and Summer. My husband, Sam, and I used to run races all the time and had a great time doing it. They really keep you focused and help you think about how you are training. There’s a lot of strategy involved in each race at each level. Each race is different. Some are run on pavement and others are on gravel and dirt tracks. Some races are flat and others include hills. There are 8K, duathlons, triathlons, 1/2 marathons, marathons, etc. There are race clubs in most cities that offer mentors who will run along side new walkers and joggers to train them into runners. There’s a website – www.runningintheusa.com – just enter your state and check out all of the races happening near you. If you’re like me and need to work up to actually jogging or running the 5K, go ahead and check out the website, make you plans and send in your entry fees. The earlier you register, the cheaper the fees.  I’ve already planned out my Saturdays for April and May and just thinking about the races gives me that little bit of extra charge or excitement that I’ve needed to re-energize my workouts. No more flirting with Spring…I’m focused whether Spring is here for good or not.

: Motivation
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