The Journey Back to Fitness: Overcoming Sickness Through Exercise
Returning to an exercise routine after illness can be challenging, but as many fitness enthusiasts know, it’s often the key to recovery. One determined individual recently shared their experience of pushing through physical discomfort to regain their health and energy.
“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,” they explained during a workout session. The lack of physical activity had taken its toll: “I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my nails, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”
Despite still experiencing symptoms—”I still feel her neck, my head is aching me, my nose is growing”—they committed to a 20-minute workout to begin rebuilding their strength. The difference was noticeable even compared to the previous day: “If it was yesterday, I cannot sustain this jogging for five minutes.”
The Mental Challenge of Fitness
Beyond the physical aspects, the individual emphasized the importance of mental discipline in maintaining fitness: “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. Control your body.”
This philosophy extends to dietary choices as well: “Control your mouth. That’s why you feel like it is a shower. You say no. I will not eat today shower. I will exercise. Just go ahead.”
Starting Small for Sustainable Progress
For those intimidated by fitness, the advice was clear—start where you are: “We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. So we cannot lift 10 pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This gradual approach applies to cardio exercise as well. While using a treadmill, they noted how they adjusted the intensity to match their current ability: “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.”
By the end of the session, the improvement was already evident: “My energy level is coming back.” This experience reinforces what health experts have long advocated—that consistent, appropriate exercise can be one of the most effective ways to recover from illness and maintain overall health.
The key takeaway? “Your health is what? When you are in good health, you cannot achieve. It’s only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals. That is why we need to run. We need to exercise anyhow, we can.”