The Power of Persistence: Returning to Exercise After Illness

Pushing through the challenges of returning to a fitness routine after illness can be daunting but ultimately rewarding. This was the experience shared during a recent workout livestream where determination played a key role in recovery.

After feeling sick for several days and experiencing stiffness throughout the body due to lack of exercise, the decision to resume physical activity proved beneficial despite lingering symptoms like headache and congestion.

“It’s very hard to lose weight, but very easy to gain weight,” was the candid observation shared during the session. The importance of mental discipline was emphasized: “All you need to do is push your body. You force it. Not letting your body control you – you control your body.”

This philosophy extends to dietary habits as well. “Control your mouth. Control your belly,” was the advice given, highlighting that successful fitness journeys begin with disciplined choices rather than giving in to momentary cravings.

The workout session demonstrated gradual improvement from previous days when even five minutes of continuous jogging had been challenging. This progress reinforced the importance of persistence in rebuilding stamina after a period of inactivity.

For those beginning or returning to exercise, the message was clear: start where you are with what you can do. “We must not be professional. You must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”

The session included treadmill exercise with attention to various settings like incline, speed limits, and calorie tracking. While previously able to run at higher speeds (levels 7-9), current fitness levels demanded more moderate settings, showing the reality of fitness fluctuations.

The short 20-minute workout demonstrated that even brief exercise sessions can be valuable for recovery and maintaining consistency in a fitness routine. The gradual return of energy levels throughout the workout served as encouragement that health was improving day by day.

This experience serves as a reminder that fitness journeys aren’t always linear. Setbacks happen, but with persistence and a willingness to adjust expectations while still putting in effort, progress remains possible.