The Journey Back to Fitness After Illness: Benefits of Perseverance
Returning to an exercise routine after illness can be challenging, but the benefits are immeasurable. After feeling sick for several days without exercising, one fitness enthusiast discovered that inactivity only made things worse – leading to stiffness, pain in the legs, and overall discomfort.
“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. Not exercising did not help me, but made my body to be stiff,” they shared during a recent workout session.
Despite still experiencing some symptoms like neck pain, headache, and nasal congestion, they pushed through with a 20-minute workout. This determination highlights an important fitness principle: consistency matters, especially when recovering from illness.
Mind Over Matter: Controlling Your Fitness Journey
One of the key insights shared during the session was about self-control when it comes to fitness and nutrition. “It is very hard to lose weight. 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, control your body. Control your mouth,” they advised.
This approach to fitness emphasizes willpower and mental strength. When cravings strike, the advice is straightforward: “When you feel like eating Shawarma, you say, no. I will not eat today’s Shawarma. I will exercise instead.”
Gradual Progress Is Still Progress
An encouraging message for beginners emerged during the workout: you don’t need to be a professional to start. “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 progressive approach applies to cardio exercise as well. The fitness enthusiast mentioned adjusting treadmill speeds based on current capability – using speed levels 5-7 currently, with plans to increase to level 10 after losing more weight.
The Recovery Process
The workout session itself demonstrated the recovery process in action. Starting with difficulty sustaining even 5 minutes of jogging just days before, they were now able to maintain a longer session, burning almost 200 calories.
“My energy level is coming back!” they exclaimed, even while acknowledging getting tired. This real-time documentation of improvement serves as motivation for anyone struggling to get back into fitness after a setback.
The Connection Between Health and Goals
Perhaps most importantly, the session emphasized the fundamental connection between health and achievement: “Your health is your 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.”
This perspective frames exercise not merely as a physical activity but as an essential foundation for all other life aspirations.
Whether you’re recovering from illness or simply trying to establish a fitness routine, the message is clear: push through discomfort, start where you are, and recognize that your health enables everything else in your life.