The Power of Persistence: How to Restart Your Fitness Journey After Illness
Returning to exercise after being sick can be challenging, but it’s an essential step toward reclaiming your health and wellness. As many fitness enthusiasts discover, even a short break from physical activity can lead to stiffness, discomfort, and reduced stamina.
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my sister,” shares a determined fitness enthusiast who recently restarted their workout routine. “That did not help me at all. 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.”
Pushing Through the Initial Discomfort
The first workout after an illness is often the hardest. Despite experiencing headaches and congestion, taking that first step to move again is crucial. As our fitness advocate explains, it’s about not letting your body dictate your actions: “You force it. Not letting your body control your body.”
This mentality applies not just to exercise but also to nutrition. “Control your mouth. That’s why you feel like it is a shower ma. You say no. I will not eat today shower. I will exercise. Just go ahead. Control your mouth. Control your belly. Control your crummy. Control everything.”
Starting Small and Building Up
One doesn’t need to be a professional athlete to benefit from exercise. The key is starting at your current level and gradually building strength and endurance. “We must not be professional. You must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. So we cannot lift 10 pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This progressive approach applies to cardiovascular exercise as well. For instance, when using a treadmill, it’s important to select a speed appropriate for your fitness level. “Five is speed learning. And since it’s also speed learning, seven, it has auto twig. 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.”
The Transformation Process
Even within a single workout session, positive changes begin to occur. “I was cold now, but now I’m sweating,” notes our fitness enthusiast, highlighting the body’s quick response to movement. By the end of the session, they reported burning almost 200 calories and feeling their energy levels returning.
Perhaps most importantly, exercise provides a sense of accomplishment and empowerment after illness. “No more lying down. I got up. I shake my body. No more lying down. No more sickness. No more headache.”
The Connection Between Health and Goals
The relationship between physical health and achieving life goals cannot be overstated. “Your health is what? When you are in good health, you cannot 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 anyhow.”
This powerful reminder serves as motivation for anyone struggling to maintain a consistent exercise routine, especially after a setback like illness.
By taking that first step—whether it’s a short jog, some gentle stretching, or light weight training—you’re not just rebuilding your physical strength, but also reclaiming your ability to pursue all of life’s other important goals.