The Power of Persistence: Returning to Exercise After Illness
Recovering from illness can be challenging, especially when it impacts your exercise routine. After several days of feeling unwell and avoiding physical activity, one fitness enthusiast discovered the hard way how quickly the body can become stiff and uncomfortable without regular movement.
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for myself. That did not help me at all,” they shared during a recent workout session. “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.”
Getting Back on Track
Despite still experiencing symptoms like neck pain, headache, and nasal congestion, they made the decision to push through with a 20-minute workout to begin the recovery process. This determination highlights an important aspect of fitness journeys – consistency matters, even when conditions aren’t ideal.
“No more lying down. I got up. I shake my body. No more sickness,” they declared, showcasing the mental strength required to overcome physical limitations.
The Challenge of Weight Management
The session also touched on the universal struggle many face with weight management. “It is very hard to lose weight. Very easy to get weight,” they observed. The solution offered was straightforward but powerful: “All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Not let your body control you. Control your body. Control your mouth.”
This approach emphasizes the importance of discipline in health and fitness – making conscious choices rather than giving in to momentary cravings or the desire to remain sedentary.
Progress Through Gradual Improvements
An encouraging message for beginners emerged during the workout: fitness doesn’t require immediate perfection. “We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds. If we cannot lift 10 pounds, just little by little we are going to be fine.”
The workout session included jogging on a treadmill with various speed settings. They explained their personal limitations while demonstrating progress: “If I put it now, I will fall. If I put 10, I will fall. Because of my weight. But I used to put 7. I used to put up to 7. Before, I used to put up to 9.”
The Value of Health
Perhaps the most profound insight came when they reflected on the fundamental importance of health: “Your health is what? When you are in good health you can 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.”
By the end of the short session, they had burned nearly 200 calories and, more importantly, had taken a significant step in their recovery journey. Though admittedly tired by the end, the accomplishment of completing the workout represented a victory over illness and inactivity.
This experience serves as a reminder that health is not static – it requires ongoing effort, especially after setbacks. The path to wellness often begins with simply getting up and moving, regardless of limitations.