The Power of Perseverance: Exercising Through Illness to Regain Health
Getting back into exercise after being sick can be challenging, but it’s often the most effective way to regain energy and recover fully. One fitness enthusiast recently shared their journey of returning to exercise after several days of illness, demonstrating both the struggle and triumph that comes with pushing through physical discomfort.
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my system,” they explained. The lack of movement had noticeable consequences: “I made my body to be stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my nails, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”
Despite still experiencing symptoms like neck pain, headache, and nasal congestion, they made the decision to begin a gentle workout routine. The session was designed to be short—just 20 minutes—but effective enough to reawaken the body’s natural energy systems.
The Mental Battle of Fitness
One of the most insightful observations shared during the workout was about the psychological aspect of maintaining fitness: “It is very hard to lose weight. Very easy to gain weight. All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Not letting your body control you.”
This philosophy of body control extended to nutritional discipline as well: “Control your mouth. Control your belly. Control everything. And then force your body to move. Force it. It’s not easy. But you’re gonna force it.”
Measuring Progress
The workout included jogging on a treadmill with various features including a calorie counter, timer, incline adjustment, and speed settings. They noted their current limitations compared to previous fitness levels: “I used to put up to seven. Before, I used to put up to nine. But now, I can do up to seven, but not 10, not 11, not 12.”
This realistic assessment of current capabilities demonstrates an important aspect of fitness recovery—acknowledging where you are while remembering where you’ve been and where you plan to return.
The Importance of Consistency
Perhaps the most valuable takeaway was the emphasis on starting wherever you can: “We must not be professional as well. You must not lift 100 pounds or 200 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
By the end of the short session, positive results were already evident: “I was cold before, but now I’m sweating” and “My energy level is coming back.”
This experience highlights an essential truth about health and fitness—sometimes the most important workout is the one you do when you don’t feel like exercising at all. It’s these challenging sessions that often yield the greatest rewards, both physically and mentally.