The Power of Persistence: Returning to Exercise After Illness

Pushing through physical discomfort and getting back into an exercise routine after illness can be challenging yet rewarding. This was demonstrated clearly in a recent fitness journey shared online, where determination played a key role in recovery.

“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my system,” the fitness enthusiast explained. “That did not help me at all. Not exercising did not help me, but made my body to be stiff.”

The Consequences of Inactivity

The physical effects of taking a break from regular exercise were immediately noticeable. “I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my knees, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”

Despite still experiencing symptoms including neck pain, headache, and nasal congestion, the decision to return to a workout routine was made. The short 20-minute exercise session was designed to gradually reintroduce physical activity.

Mind Over Matter

A significant part of the fitness philosophy shared was about mental control over physical desires: “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.”

This approach emphasizes discipline and willpower: “Control your mouth. Control your belly. Control your tummy. Control everything. And then force your body to move. Force it. It’s not easy. But you are going to force it.”

Progress Through Persistence

The improvement from previous days was notable. “Yesterday I cannot sustain this jogging for five minutes. No stop five minutes jogging. Because today I go.” There was a clear progression from being bedridden to actively exercising: “No more lying down. I got up. I shake my body. No more lying down. No more sickness. No more headache.”

Starting Small but Staying Consistent

An important message shared was that exercise doesn’t have to be extreme to be effective: “We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds. So we cannot lift 10 pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”

Using a treadmill with various settings allowed for customizing the workout intensity based on current fitness levels. “It has auto twig. When I lose weight, I start running 10… If I put it now, I will fall. If I put 10, I will fall. Because of my weight. But I used to put seven.”

The Results of Returning to Exercise

By the end of the session, positive effects were already becoming apparent: “I was cold now, but now I’m sweating.” The workout tracker showed nearly 200 calories burned, and despite growing fatigue, there was determination to continue: “I’m getting tired of it. But I still want to see how long I can go with the jogging.”

Perhaps most importantly, there was a noticeable improvement in energy levels: “My energy level is coming back.”

This journey reminds us that health is foundational to achieving our goals, and consistent exercise—even when starting small—is key to maintaining that foundation.