The Importance of Consistency in Exercise: A Personal Recovery Journey

After several days of illness and inactivity, the body can quickly become stiff and unresponsive. This was the experience shared during a recent workout session where the consequences of neglecting exercise became painfully apparent.

“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and it did not do any good for my system,” the fitness enthusiast explained. “Not exercising did not help me at all, but made my body to be stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my knees, my toes, everything pained me because of lack of exercise.”

The Mind-Body Connection

One of the most powerful insights shared during the session was about the importance of mental discipline in maintaining physical health. “It is very hard to lose weight but very easy to gain weight,” the trainer noted. “What you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Not letting your body control you.”

This concept of mind over matter extends to dietary choices as well: “Control your mouth. That’s when you feel like eating a shawarma, you say, ‘no, I will not eat shawarma today. I will exercise instead.’ Control your mouth. Control your belly.”

Starting Small and Building Consistency

For those intimidated by fitness, the session emphasized the importance of starting with manageable goals. “We must not be professional as well. We must not lift 100 pounds to be healthy. 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 workout demonstrated the value of tracking progress. Using equipment that monitors time, calories burned, and speed allowed for measurable improvements. “When I lose weight, I’ll start running at speed 10, but if I put it now, I will fall because of my weight. I used to put up to seven before.”

The Recovery Process

Perhaps most inspiring was witnessing the recovery journey in real-time. From being unable to sustain jogging for five minutes the previous day to completing a longer session, the improvement was noticeable.

“No more lying down. I got up. I shake my body. No more sickness. No more headache,” was the triumphant declaration midway through the workout.

By the end of the session, signs of returning vitality were evident: “I’m sweating now. I was cold before, but now I’m sweating” and “My energy level is coming back.”

Health as a Foundation for Achievement

The session concluded with a powerful reminder about the fundamental importance of health: “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. We need to exercise.”

This perspective frames exercise not merely as a physical activity but as an essential foundation for all other life goals and achievements.