The Journey to Recovery: How Exercise Helps Overcome Illness

After several days of feeling sick and not exercising, one fitness enthusiast shares their personal journey back to health through movement and determination. The experience serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly our bodies can become stiff and painful when we neglect physical activity.

“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my system. 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 knees, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”

The Importance of Pushing Through

Even while still experiencing symptoms including headache and nasal congestion, they emphasize the importance of gradually returning to movement. The workout session demonstrated how quickly the body can respond positively to exercise, with energy levels noticeably improving within just one session.

“It is very hard to lose weight, but very easy to gain weight,” they observe. “All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Not letting your body control you. You control your body. Control your mouth.”

Starting Small for Big Results

A key insight shared during the session is that exercise doesn’t require professional-level intensity to be beneficial. “We must not lift 100 pounds,” they advise. “Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”

The gradual approach to fitness is demonstrated through their own treadmill workout, where they’ve adapted their speed based on current capabilities. “Five is speed learning. Six is speed. It’s also speed on seven,” they explain about the treadmill settings. “When I lose weight, I’ll start running 10. Because that way you have to pop up. If I put it now, I will fall.”

Celebrating Small Victories

By the end of the short 20-minute session, there was visible progress in energy levels and stamina. “My energy level is coming back,” they noted proudly, having burned nearly 200 calories despite coming back from illness.

This journey serves as a reminder that consistency in exercise, even when starting small after a setback, can quickly help restore health and well-being. The key lies in taking control rather than letting temporary limitations define what’s possible.