Why You Shouldn't Skip Exercise When You're Feeling Sick
After experiencing several days of feeling unwell, I discovered an important lesson about maintaining physical activity even during periods of illness. Completely avoiding exercise made my condition worse – my body became stiff, stretching became painful, and even my extremities suffered.
What I learned is something many fitness enthusiasts already know: it's incredibly challenging to exercise consistently, but remarkably easy to gain weight. The formula for success is straightforward but requires discipline: you must take control of your body rather than allowing your body to control you.
Taking Back Control
The key components of maintaining fitness discipline include:
- Controlling your mouth and food intake
- Managing your cravings
- Forcing your body to move even when you don't feel like it
When faced with the temptation to skip a workout, you need to firmly say “no” and push through. This mindset applies equally to diet – when unhealthy food options appear, taking control means making the harder but healthier choice.
Starting Small Is Better Than Not Starting
You don't need to be a fitness professional to benefit from exercise. If you can't lift 100 pounds, start with 5 or 10 pounds. The important thing is to begin somewhere and progress gradually. Even light jogging for just a few minutes can make a significant difference when you're recovering from illness.
In my own recovery journey, I noticed substantial improvement in my stamina day over day. While I couldn't sustain even five minutes of jogging initially, my endurance quickly improved once I committed to getting moving again.
Listen To Your Body But Challenge It Too
Your treadmill settings should match your current fitness level. When at a higher weight, running at maximum speeds (like 10-12 on the treadmill) might be dangerous. I found that working up to speed level 7 was appropriate for my condition, with plans to increase as my fitness improves.
The physical transformation happens quickly – I started my workout feeling cold but soon began sweating as my body warmed up and my energy levels returned.
The Importance Of Consistency
Good health is the foundation for achieving all other goals. When you're not physically well, accomplishing your objectives becomes significantly more difficult. This is why regular exercise is non-negotiable, even if it's just a short 20-minute session.
By maintaining consistency with workouts, you build resilience that helps you bounce back faster when illness does strike. The discipline of pushing through discomfort during recovery workouts strengthens both your body and your resolve.
Remember that every fitness journey has its ups and downs. The key is to never give up, even when you don't feel your best. Your body will thank you for the effort with improved recovery and greater overall health.
