Overcoming Fitness Setbacks: The Importance of Consistency in Your Workout Routine
There's a universal truth in fitness that many of us have experienced firsthand: it's much easier to gain weight than to lose it. After taking a break from exercise due to illness, one fitness enthusiast learned this lesson the hard way, experiencing stiffness, pain, and discomfort throughout their body.
“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 knees, my toes, everything pained me because of lack of exercise.”
The Mental Battle of Returning to Exercise
Returning to a workout routine after a break presents both physical and mental challenges. Despite still feeling symptoms like headaches and congestion, this determined individual pushed through a 20-minute cardio session to begin rebuilding their fitness foundation.
The mental aspect of fitness cannot be overstated. As they put it: “It is very hard to lose weight. Very easy to gain weight. All you need to do is to push your body. Force it. Not letting your body control you, but you control your body.”
Self-Control: The Foundation of Fitness Success
Perhaps the most valuable insight shared during this workout session was about the importance of self-discipline: “Control your mouth. That's why when you feel like eating something unhealthy, you say no. Control your belly. Control your cravings. Control everything.”
This philosophy extends beyond just eating habits to encompass the entire fitness journey. Even when it feels difficult, sometimes you have to “force your body to move” to achieve your goals.
The Progressive Approach to Fitness
One encouraging message emphasized during the workout was that fitness doesn't require perfection from day one. “We must not be professional at first. We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. If we cannot lift 10 pounds, just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This progressive approach applies to cardio fitness as well. The individual shared their treadmill experience, noting that while they once could run at higher speeds (level 7-9), their current fitness level required a more moderate pace. They mentioned that the treadmill goes up to level 12, saying, “If I put it now, I will fall because of my weight. But I used to put up to 7, I used to put up to 9 before.”
The Reward of Consistency
Despite feeling unwell the previous day and struggling with a 5-minute jogging session, this fitness enthusiast noticed improvement just one day later. “I feel better today,” they noted, demonstrating how quickly the body can respond to consistent effort.
By the end of the session, they had burned nearly 200 calories and were already experiencing the positive effects of exercise: “I was cold, but now I am sweating.”
Final Thoughts
This honest account of returning to fitness after illness serves as a reminder that consistency matters more than perfection. Whether you're dealing with a setback or just starting your fitness journey, remember that small steps lead to significant progress over time.
Your health is the foundation upon which you build everything else in life. As this determined individual put it: “When you are in good health, you can achieve. It's only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals.”
Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. Your future self will thank you.
