Sickness has to be one of the biggest motivation-killers when it comes to getting fit. If it's a cold - then it is a matter of a few days of taking it easy. On the other hand, when influenza comes visiting - it's a whole different story.

When you get sick - it's easy to look at possible causes:

• Poor nutrition
• Stress
• Overtraining

However, the human body is a frail thing - and even when looking after all these factors, viral or bacterial infections can strike.

It's easy to give up altogether. It took months to get in shape, and then along comes the 'flu and within 10 days you're almost back to square one.

The only answer is to slowly and gently ease back into the exercise regime.. and don't give up.