Yesterday I thought my body’s aches and pains were solely due to my son’s enthusiasm over his new role as my “personal trainer” — the euphemistic way I’m referring to his constant nagging question “Mom, have you exercised today?”

As I discovered this morning, that achiness was actually a sign of a bad cold which hit me just before dawn this morning. I’ve got it all, too: congestion, runny nose, aching head, fever, chills and a room-shaking cough. Not that such things convince my son that I shouldn’t be exercising. Oh, no. Even though he has a cold now, too, he still considers it great entertainment to watch Mommy huff and puff through yet another round of aerobics or weight lifting.

I just can’t do it today. So, since he wouldn’t believe me, I hopped online to find out am I really too sick to exercise, or am I just being a wimp.

According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s possibly a little of both. Had my cold only manifested “above the neck” I wouldn’t have an excuse to get out of it. My fever and cough saved me, however. Symptoms like which appear “below the neck” are legitimate reasons not to exercise. Hallelujah!

Now if I can only find an article saying that ice cream is actually good for me, even if I don’t have a sore throat.