New Workout Program and My Immune System?

[alaska88]

Hi Everyone.

I just started P90X, for fun, with a friend, yesterday actually... and so far I'm loving it. For those of you who don't know it, it's this really cheesy guy with lots of muscle, saying the funniest things for an hour-long (sometimes shorter) workout. It's extreme exercise.
Honestly though, I've never been very athletic and today I caught the worst cold. I don't usually get this sick, and I was wondering if maybe it had something to do with starting going from practically zero active exercise to P90X. Is there any connection between what could have been overwork and my immune system?
I might also not be eating right since I haven't gotten the nutrition book. I try to take in a good amount of protein though... Could it be I'm not getting my vitamins?

How do I strengthen my immune system? Thanks guys!
cheers.

 

[jakenash]

Immune system reactions are a VERY complicated topic. There are so many issues that it would be impossible to address here (although thanks for an idea for my next months newsletter topic)

Very quickly though, your immune system is certainly influenced by stress of any kind. Starting a new workout program, especially one as intense as P90X can be a major new stressor. However, I would not by any means think it is the cause. The jestation time for most cold viruses is usually 2-3 days. My guess is this cold was working it's way into your system, and the very tough workout was the straw that broke the camels back. Not the workouts fault, just bad timing. If you had not done the workout, you MIGHT have fought off the cold, but more than likely you would have still gotten sick, just maybe less severly.

 

[alaska88]

Thanks for the reply.
I'm glad it'll help you with your newsletter article.! I'd love to see it when it's done, if you post it online that is.
I definitely over did it.

I'll take it easy for the next few days, take a P90X break... maybe do the stretchX. and lots of chicken soup and vitamin C.
thanks again!