The Journey Back to Fitness: Overcoming Illness and Regaining Strength
Taking that first step back into exercise after illness can be challenging, as many fitness enthusiasts discover. After several days of feeling sick and avoiding physical activity, the body quickly becomes stiff and uncooperative. One fitness advocate recently shared their personal experience with this struggle and how they pushed through to regain their momentum.
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and it did not do any good for my system,” they explained. The lack of movement led to stiffness throughout their body – from legs to back to even their toes. Everything became painful due to the extended inactivity.
Despite still experiencing symptoms including headache and nasal congestion, they made the decision to break the cycle of inactivity with a short 20-minute workout session. “My heart is beating, my body is moving, but I will be fine,” they noted during the beginning of their exercise routine.
The Mental Battle of Fitness
The mental aspect of returning to fitness emerged as a central theme in their experience. “It is very hard to lose weight, but very easy to gain weight,” they observed, highlighting one of the fundamental challenges of fitness.
Their approach focused on regaining control: “You have to force your body. Not letting your body control you – you control your body. Control your mouth. Control your belly.” This philosophy of mind over matter became their mantra as they pushed through the initial discomfort.
Starting Small and Building Momentum
The importance of starting with achievable goals was emphasized throughout their fitness session. “We need to exercise but we must not be professional. We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds… little by little we are going to be fine.”
This gradual approach proved effective. Just days before, they couldn’t sustain even five minutes of continuous jogging. Now, they were able to maintain a steady pace while engaging with others, noting: “Yesterday I couldn’t do this, but today I’m back.”
The Relationship Between Health and Achievement
Perhaps most insightful was their reflection on the connection between physical health and overall achievement: “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.”
As the workout progressed, visible improvement was evident. “My energy level is coming back,” they noted toward the end of the session, having nearly reached 200 calories burned.
This personal journey serves as a reminder that fitness is not just about physical capability but also about persistence and the willingness to begin again after setbacks. Even when the body resists, taking that first step back into movement can quickly rebuild momentum and restore both physical and mental well-being.