Are you generally healthy? If so, how do you do it?

[ttalloo]

I'm asking because I'm stuck at home recovering from bronchitis for the next week, having also had, in the last 18 months, swine flu, a chest infection, two bouts of standard flu, three ear infections, two bouts of gastro-enteritis and umpteen colds, and I'm really tired of the reputation I now have at work for always being ill and off sick - and I'm really worried that I'll end up with some kind of post-viral exhaustion that means I can't do anything at all.

I eat well, I don't drink or smoke, I'm a normal weight for my height, but I must be doing something wrong because I seem to get every bug that's going round work or is brought home by the DSs from pre-school - and I always get it worse than anyone else. My only exercise is walking to and from the station to go to work, and I rarely have an uninterrupted night's sleep, so I am permanently exhausted.

Having bronchitis means that I spent this weekend in bed, instead of celebrating my 40th in style on Saturday, and having a lovely Mother's Day on the Sunday. I just want to know how to limit my sickness to getting the odd cold and to avoid being felled by a serious bug every couple of months.

Any tips would be much appreciated.

I had never run before.

We both work full-time + (teaching/researching/other responsibilities).

I downloaded a couch to 5k programme to my (bought for the purpose) Ipod and went for it.

I am a v. unsporty person - put it this way - a friend said to me "If YOU can do the programme (couch to 5k), anyone can"!

Have a look in sport and exercise for loads of threads about it.

Honestly, I am a total convert. Now is a good time to start because the mornings and evenings are light - I started with going twice a week (you are supposed to go 3x but I could never fit it in, so just took longer doing the "programme" iyswim). I went on a Sunday morning, once lunch was in the oven (still do if I can) and then once in the week - you need to slot it into your timetable.

DS1 (6) sometimes comes with me -him on his bike, me running.

How clean is your house? if it is too clean (ie anti bac-ed, bleached to an inch of it's life), it is possibly contributing to your illnesses. I am rather slovenly - not unhygienic, but definitely not the world's best house keeper, but I think it makes me and my family a bit healthier, actually. just a thought!

Ooh, jamaisjedors (love your name, by the way), that's a great tip - I've just downloaded onto my iPod. I love the way it's 3 days a week - any more is just totally over-ambitious and doomed to failure as far as I'm concerned. That stubbon 5lb had better watch out!

ttalloo - it does sound as if you're having very bad luck - hope the potty trick works with the sleep - that's probably the key. Good luck!

It IS great speculation (like yours too btw!) - as I said, I only ever managed 2x a week but still made it to 5k in the end !