Control Your Body: The Journey Back to Fitness After Illness

Getting back to exercise after being sick can be challenging, but it’s an essential step toward recovery. After several days of illness and inactivity, the body becomes stiff, making even simple movements painful. This was precisely the experience shared during a recent workout session.

“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised, and it did not do any good for my system,” the fitness enthusiast explained. “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 nails, my toes, everything pained me because of lack of exercise.”

The Challenge of Getting Back on Track

Despite still experiencing symptoms like neck pain, headache, and nasal congestion, the determination to return to fitness prevailed. This perfectly illustrates how important it is to listen to your body while also gently pushing it when recovering.

One of the most powerful messages shared during the session was about body control: “It is very hard to lose weight, but very easy to gain weight. All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Don’t let your body control you – you control your body.”

The Importance of Self-Discipline

The concept of control extended beyond just exercise to dietary habits as well: “Control your mouth. Control your belly. That’s why when you feel like eating a snack, you say, ‘No, I will not eat today.’ Control your mouth. Control your belly. Control everything. And then force your body to move.”

This approach highlights the mental discipline required for fitness success. It’s not just about physical capability but also about mental fortitude and the willingness to push through discomfort.

Gradual Progress Is Key

An important reminder during the session was that fitness doesn’t require professional-level commitments immediately: “We need to exercise anyhow we can. We must not be professional. We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds… little by little we are going to be fine.”

This gradual approach is particularly relevant when returning to exercise after illness. The session demonstrated visible improvement compared to the previous day’s attempt, showing how quickly the body can begin to recover when given the right stimulus.

Monitoring Progress

Using a treadmill with features to track calories burned, speed, and incline allowed for measuring progress during the session. The importance of starting at an appropriate level was emphasized: “When I lose weight I’ll start running at 10… but if I put it now I will fall because of my weight. I used to put it up to 7 before.”

This honest assessment shows the importance of working within your current capabilities while still challenging yourself appropriately.

The Reward of Persistence

By the end of the session, there was a noticeable improvement in energy levels despite growing fatigue. “My energy level is coming back,” was the triumphant observation as the calorie counter approached 200.

The session serves as a reminder that health is foundational to achieving our goals. When we’re in good health, possibilities expand, but when illness limits us, even simple tasks become challenging.

The journey back to fitness after illness isn’t about immediate perfection but about consistent effort and gradually rebuilding strength and stamina. It’s about controlling your body rather than letting discomfort control you.