The Importance of Consistency in Exercise: A Personal Journey

After several days of feeling under the weather, the impact of skipping regular exercise became painfully apparent. “I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my system. That did not help me at all,” reports a fitness enthusiast who recently returned to their workout routine.

The consequences of this brief hiatus were significant. “Not exercising did not help me, 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.”

The Challenge of Getting Back on Track

The reality of fitness maintenance is candidly addressed: “It is very hard to exercise, but very easy to gain weight. Very hard to lose weight. Very easy to gain weight.” This observation highlights one of the fundamental challenges in maintaining a healthy lifestyle – consistency is crucial because regression happens much more quickly than progression.

Despite feeling unwell with symptoms including neck pain, headache, and nasal congestion, the determination to return to exercise prevailed. This demonstrates an important principle in fitness: sometimes the hardest part is simply starting again after a break.

Mental Fortitude in Fitness

The mental aspect of exercise is emphasized throughout the session. “All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Don’t let your body control you. Control your body.” This mindset extends beyond just physical movement to dietary discipline as well: “Control your mouth. Control your belly. Control your cravings. Control everything.”

This philosophy represents the essence of health discipline – recognizing that our bodies often resist what’s best for them, requiring mental determination to overcome physical reluctance.

Progressive Improvement

The gradual nature of recovery is evident in the comparison between workout sessions. “Yesterday I could not sustain this jogging for five minutes non-stop… two days ago was the worst.” Today’s session shows marked improvement, with energy levels noticeably rebounding.

An important reminder for fitness beginners is shared: “Your health is right when you are in good health… you need to exercise anyhow you can. You must not be professional… you must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds… just little by little we are going to be fine.”

Technical Aspects of the Workout

The workout takes place on a treadmill with various settings, highlighting how equipment can be adjusted to personal fitness levels. “It has up to five. When I lose weight, I’ll start running 10… If I put it now, I will fall… Because of my weight. But I used to put seven. I used to put up to seven. Before, I used to put up to nine.”

This gradual scaling of intensity demonstrates how fitness equipment can accommodate both beginners and those returning from breaks, allowing for safe progression as capacity increases.

The Reward of Persistence

By the end of the session, the physical signs of an effective workout are evident. “I’m sweating now. I was cold earlier, but now I’m sweating.” This transition represents both the immediate physical response to exercise and the symbolic return to a healthier routine.

The workout concludes with approaching 200 calories burned and a renewed sense of determination, captured in the repeated affirmation: “I’m going to do it.”

This journey from illness back to activity serves as a reminder that fitness is not about perfection but persistence – returning to healthy habits even after setbacks is what ultimately leads to long-term health success.