The Journey to Recovery: How Exercise Helps When Feeling Sick
Recovery from illness often requires more than just rest. For many, gentle exercise can be a crucial part of regaining strength and energy, even when the body initially resists movement.
After several days of feeling unwell, one fitness enthusiast discovered that lack of exercise only made their condition worse. “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. Not exercising did not help me, but made my body to be stiff,” they shared during a recent workout session.
The individual described how their body had become painful due to inactivity: “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
Despite still experiencing symptoms including headache and nasal congestion, they decided to push through with a short 20-minute exercise routine. This determination highlights an important aspect of fitness – sometimes the hardest part is simply beginning.
“It is very hard to dress as nice, but very easy to get weight. 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,” they advised.
The exercise session demonstrated remarkable progress compared to previous days. “If it was yesterday, I cannot sustain this jogging for five minutes. No stop five minutes jogging. If it was two days ago, that was the worst of them,” they noted, showing how quickly the body can begin to recover when given the right stimulus.
Gradual Progress Is Key
An important message shared during the workout was the value of starting small: “Your health is what you can achieve. It’s only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve. That is why we need to run. We need to exercise anyhow, without professionalism.”
They emphasized that fitness doesn’t require extreme measures to be effective. “You must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. So I cannot lift 10 pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This incremental approach applies to cardio exercise as well. The individual mentioned adjusting treadmill settings based on current capacity, noting that they previously could handle higher speeds but now work within their current limitations.
Visible Results
By the end of the short session, positive effects were already apparent. “My energy level is coming back,” they reported, having burned nearly 200 calories during the brief workout.
The transformation from feeling ill and stiff to actively exercising demonstrates how movement can sometimes be the best medicine for a recovering body – when approached sensibly and with respect for one’s current limitations.
While pushing through discomfort requires determination, the rewards of renewed energy and improved mobility make the effort worthwhile for many on their health journey.