The Power of Persistence: Returning to Exercise After Illness
Returning to a workout routine after being sick can be challenging, but pushing through those initial difficulties is essential for recovery and long-term health. This was evident in a recent fitness journey documented by a determined individual working to regain their strength and energy after several days of illness.
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my system,” they explained at the beginning of their workout. “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.”
Despite still experiencing symptoms—”I still feel my neck, my head is aching me, my nose is growing”—they committed to a short 20-minute exercise session to begin rebuilding their fitness level. This approach highlights the importance of easing back into physical activity rather than attempting to resume pre-illness intensity immediately.
The Mental Battle of Exercise
One of the most compelling insights shared during the workout was about the mental fortitude required to maintain a healthy lifestyle: “It is very hard to exercise. But very easy to get weight. Very hard to lose weight. Very easy to get weight.”
The key to success? Self-discipline and body control: “All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Not let your body control you. You force it…Control your mouth. That’s why when you feel like eating a shawarma, you say, no. I will not eat today’s shawarma. I will exercise instead.”
Tracking Progress
Using a treadmill with various features including calorie tracking, incline adjustment, and speed settings, the exerciser monitored their improving endurance. They noted their current limitations compared to previous fitness levels: “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. 12 is the highest.”
This realistic self-assessment shows the importance of acknowledging current capabilities while remembering past achievements as motivation.
The Reward of Persistence
By the end of the session, positive results were already evident: “I’m getting better. That’s what I’m running today… I was cold but now I’m sweating… My energy level is coming back.”
The workout concluded with nearly 200 calories burned and a noticeable improvement in energy and mood compared to previous days.
Key Takeaways for Post-Illness Exercise
- Start with shorter workouts (15-20 minutes) when returning after illness
- Listen to your body but push through initial resistance
- Remember that consistency matters more than intensity
- Track progress to stay motivated
- Acknowledge that health is fundamental to achieving other goals: “When you are in good health, you can achieve. It’s only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals.”
Whether you’re recovering from illness or simply struggling to maintain an exercise routine, the message is clear: start where you are, control your choices, and persistence will lead to improvement.