The Journey Back to Fitness After Illness: Why Consistency Matters
Returning to exercise after being sick can be challenging, but it’s a crucial step in restoring both physical and mental wellbeing. After several days of illness and physical inactivity, the body quickly becomes stiff and uncomfortable, highlighting the importance of maintaining regular movement.
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my sister. That did not help me at all,” shares a fitness enthusiast who recently experienced this firsthand. “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.”
The Challenge of Getting Back on Track
After a period of illness, even simple movements can feel difficult. Symptoms like headaches, nasal congestion, and general discomfort may persist, but gentle exercise can actually help the recovery process. The key is to start slowly and gradually build back up to previous fitness levels.
During the recovery workout, monitoring progress becomes important. Using equipment with features that track calories burned, distance covered, and speed can provide motivation and a sense of accomplishment even during a lighter workout.
Mind Over Matter: The Mental Aspect of Fitness
One of the most significant insights shared during this fitness journey is the importance of mental discipline in maintaining a healthy lifestyle: “It is very hard to lose weight. Very easy to get weight. All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Not letting your body control you. You control your body.”
This philosophy extends to everyday choices: “Control your mouth. Control your belly. Control your craving. Control everything. And then force your body to move. Force it. It’s not easy. But you are going to force it.”
Gradual Progress Is Still Progress
Setting realistic expectations is crucial when returning to exercise after illness. As fitness improves, so does the ability to push harder during workouts.
“When I lose weight I’ll start running 10… 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.”
The joy of feeling improvement is evident: “I’m getting better. That’s why I’m running today. It’s more running today. I want to wake up my body today.”
The Value of Health
Perhaps the most powerful reminder from this fitness journey is the fundamental importance of health: “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.”
The approach recommended is accessible to everyone: “We need to run. We need to exercise anyhow, with a hand. We must not be professional as well. We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This gradual, consistent approach to fitness is what ultimately leads to sustainable results and better health over time. The journey back from illness serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly fitness can decline without regular movement—and how good it feels to rebuild strength day by day.