The Journey Back to Fitness: Overcoming Sickness and Building Healthy Habits

Recovery after illness can be challenging, but maintaining an active lifestyle is crucial for overall wellbeing. After several days of feeling sick and avoiding exercise, one fitness enthusiast shares their personal journey of returning to physical activity despite lingering symptoms.

“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and that did not help me at all,” they explain. “Not exercising did not help me, but 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.”

The Importance of Pushing Through

Even while still experiencing some symptoms—”I still feel my neck, my head is aching, my nose is growing”—they emphasize the importance of gradually reintroducing physical activity. This determination showcases how exercise can help the body recover and regain energy levels after a period of illness.

The message is clear: don’t let temporary setbacks permanently derail fitness goals. “No more laying down. No more sickness. No more headache. I’m back after the pandemic,” they declare with enthusiasm during their workout.

Mind Over Matter

One of the most valuable insights shared is the mental approach to fitness and healthy living: “It is very hard to dress as nice, but very easy to get weight. Very hard to lose weight. Very easy to get weight. You need to push your body. You force it. Not letting your body control you.”

This philosophy extends beyond exercise to diet as well: “Control your mouth. Control your belly. Control everything. And then force your body to move. Force it. It is not easy. But you are going to force it.”

Starting Small

For those intimidated by fitness goals, the advice is refreshingly practical: start where you are with what you have.

“We must not be professional. We must not lift 100 pounds, 200 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. If we cannot lift 10 pounds, just little by little, we are going to be fine.”

The same applies to cardio exercise. While using a treadmill with various settings, they acknowledge their current limitations while remembering past capabilities: “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.”

Health as Wealth

Perhaps the most powerful message is the recognition that health forms the foundation for all other achievements: “Your health is what? When you are in good health, you can achieve. It’s only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals. That is why we need to run.”

As the workout progresses, there’s visible improvement in energy and mood: “My energy level is coming back.” This real-time demonstration shows how exercise, even when difficult to begin, can rapidly improve both physical and mental states.

For anyone struggling to maintain fitness habits during or after illness, this journey offers encouragement and practical wisdom: start small, be consistent, and remember that every step forward—no matter how modest—brings you closer to your health goals.