The Power of Perseverance: Returning to Exercise After Illness

Returning to exercise after illness can be challenging, but it’s often a crucial step in recovery. This was clearly demonstrated in a recent fitness livestream where the host shared their journey of getting back to physical activity after feeling sick for several days.

“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my sister,” the host explained. “Not exercising did not help me, but made my body to be stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my nails, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”

This experience highlights a common phenomenon: when we stop moving during illness, our bodies can become stiff and uncomfortable, potentially prolonging recovery time. The host decided to combat this by returning to a gentle workout routine despite still experiencing some symptoms.

“I still feel my neck, my head is aching, my nose is growing, but I will be fine,” they shared, demonstrating remarkable determination.

The Mental Challenge of Exercise

Perhaps the most valuable insight from this fitness session was the emphasis on mental discipline. The host stressed that maintaining fitness is often more about mindset than physical capability:

“It is very hard to dress 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. Control your mouth.”

This philosophy of self-discipline extends beyond exercise to dietary choices as well. As the host explained, “When you feel like eating a snack, you say, no. I will not eat today. I will exercise. Just go ahead. Control your mouth. Control your belly.”

Gradual Progress Is Key

Another important takeaway was the value of starting small and building gradually. The livestream emphasized that you don’t need to be a fitness professional to benefit from exercise:

“We need to exercise anyhow we can. We must not be professional. We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds. Little by little we are going to be fine.”

The host demonstrated this principle by testing their endurance with jogging, pushing themselves but also being mindful of their recovering state. They tracked calories burned and noted with satisfaction, “My energy level is coming back.”

The Connection Between Health and Achievement

Perhaps most profoundly, the session highlighted the fundamental connection between physical wellbeing and our ability to achieve life goals:

“Your health is what? When you are in good health you cannot… 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.”

This simple statement underscores how physical health serves as the foundation for all other pursuits in life.

The determination shown in this fitness session serves as inspiration for anyone struggling to maintain or return to exercise routines. Even when facing obstacles like illness, taking small steps toward physical activity can help restore energy, improve mood, and set the stage for achieving broader life goals.