The Journey to Recovery: How Exercise Revitalizes Your Body After Illness
Taking the first steps back into exercise after illness can be challenging, but it’s essential for recovery. This was clearly demonstrated by one fitness enthusiast who recently shared their experience returning to workouts after several days of sickness.
“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. The consequences of this brief hiatus were immediately noticeable: stiffness throughout the body, pain during stretching, and general discomfort in the legs, neck, and head.
The Importance of Pushing Through
Despite still experiencing symptoms including headaches and nasal congestion, they made the decision to start with a gentle 20-minute workout. This determination highlights an important principle in fitness and recovery: consistency matters more than intensity.
“Don’t let your body control you. Control your body,” they advised, emphasizing the mental aspect of fitness that often goes overlooked. “Control your mouth. Control your belly. Force your body to move. Force it. It’s not easy.”
Signs of Progress
Even in this short session, the improvement was noticeable compared to the previous day’s attempt. “Yesterday I cannot sustain this jogging for five minutes. No stop, five minutes jogging,” they recalled. Just one day later, they were able to maintain a steady jog, tracking both time and calories burned.
The workout session demonstrated gradual progress, with the participant noting, “My energy level is coming back,” after approaching 200 calories burned during the session.
Starting Small: The Key to Consistency
One of the most valuable insights shared was the importance of starting with manageable goals: “We must not be professional as well. You must not lift 100 pounds, 200 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds… Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This approach applies to cardio exercise as well. The participant mentioned adjusting treadmill settings to match current fitness levels rather than pushing too hard too soon. While they once comfortably ran at speed levels of 9 or 10, they currently stay around level 7 to accommodate their weight and fitness level.
Health as Wealth
Perhaps most importantly, the session emphasized that good health is fundamental to achieving other goals in life. “Your health is wealth. When you are in good health, you can achieve. It’s only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals.”
This perspective serves as a powerful reminder that investing time in physical wellbeing isn’t just about aesthetics or performance—it’s about creating the foundation that supports every other aspect of life.