The Struggle and Triumph of Getting Back to Exercise After Illness
Returning to exercise after illness can be a challenging journey, as one fitness enthusiast recently discovered. After feeling sick for several days without exercising, they experienced significant physical discomfort including stiffness in their legs, pain in their back, and overall body tension.
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my system,” they shared during a recent workout session. “Not exercising did not help me at all, but made my body to be stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my ankles, my toes, everything pained me because of lack of exercise.”
The Mental Battle of Exercise
One of the most insightful observations they made was about the mental fortitude required to maintain fitness: “It is very hard to lose weight but very easy to gain weight. All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Not letting your body control you. Control your body.”
This perspective highlights the importance of mental discipline in fitness journeys. The individual emphasized the need to control cravings and make conscious choices rather than giving in to momentary desires: “Control your mouth. That’s when you feel like it is your whamma. You say no. I will not eat today’s whamma. I will exercise. Just go ahead.”
Starting Small and Building Up
For those who may feel intimidated by intense workout routines, the fitness enthusiast offered encouraging advice about starting where you are: “You must not be professional… You must not lift 100 pounds, 200 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. If you cannot lift 10 pounds, just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This approach of gradual progression was demonstrated in their own workout. They shared that they were currently running at speed level 7 on their treadmill, which has a maximum of 12. “When I lose weight, I’ll start running at 10,” they noted, acknowledging that attempting too high a setting now would be dangerous given their current fitness level.
The Reward of Perseverance
Despite still experiencing some symptoms including headache and nasal congestion, they pushed through their workout and began to feel the benefits: “I’m sweating now. I was cold before, but now I’m sweating.”
By the end of their session, they had burned nearly 200 calories and noted with satisfaction that their energy levels were returning. The experience serves as a reminder that health and fitness are often as much about consistency and determination as they are about intensity.
For anyone struggling to maintain an exercise routine, especially after illness or a break, the message is clear: start where you are, control your impulses, and gradually build back your strength and endurance. Your body will thank you for it.