The Importance of Exercise After Illness: A Personal Recovery Journey
Getting back into exercise after being sick can be challenging, but it’s often necessary for a full recovery. One fitness enthusiast recently shared their experience of returning to workout routines after several days of illness, highlighting both the struggles and benefits of pushing through physical discomfort.
“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. “Not exercising did not help me at all, but made my body 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 Started Again
The initial return to exercise proved difficult. Just days before, they couldn’t sustain jogging for even five minutes without stopping. However, with determination and persistence, energy levels gradually returned. This demonstrates how quickly our fitness can decline when we’re inactive, even for short periods.
“It is very hard to exercise, but very easy to gain weight. Very hard to lose weight. Very easy to gain weight,” they observed, highlighting one of the fundamental challenges of fitness.
Mind Over Matter
A key aspect of their approach involves mental discipline: “You need to push your body. You force it. Don’t let your body control you—control your body. Control your mouth. Control your belly.”
This mindset of disciplined self-control extends beyond exercise to diet and overall lifestyle choices. When cravings strike, they advise simply saying no: “When you feel like eating something unhealthy, just say no. I will exercise instead.”
Starting Small
The fitness enthusiast emphasized the importance of beginning with manageable goals rather than attempting professional-level workouts immediately.
“We must not be professional as well. You must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds or 5 pounds. Little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This gradual approach applies to cardio exercise as well. They mentioned using a treadmill with various settings, currently staying at moderate speeds while working up to higher intensity levels as fitness improves.
Health as a Foundation for Achievement
Perhaps most importantly, they stressed the connection between health and accomplishing life goals: “Your health is wealth. When you are in good health, you can achieve your goals. It’s only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals.”
By the end of their workout session, they had burned nearly 200 calories and noticed a significant improvement in energy levels compared to previous days—tangible evidence that their recovery was progressing.
For anyone coming back from illness or a period of inactivity, this journey offers an important reminder: patience, persistence, and starting small can help rebuild fitness levels and restore overall wellbeing.