The Power of Consistency: How to Overcome Sickness and Get Back to Exercise
We all know the struggle of getting back to exercise after being sick. That stiffness in your muscles, the fatigue, and the mental barrier can make returning to your fitness routine feel like an insurmountable challenge. But as difficult as it may be, pushing through this barrier is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
After several days of feeling sick, many people experience increased body stiffness and discomfort. This is exactly what happened in this case – stretching became painful, even in areas like the back of the legs, and overall body mobility decreased significantly. This highlights an important lesson: lack of exercise, even for just a few days, can have noticeable negative effects on our bodies.
Why Getting Back to Exercise Matters
Despite having a headache, runny nose, and overall fatigue, making the decision to exercise again is crucial. Even a short 20-minute workout can help your body begin the recovery process and prevent further stiffening of muscles.
The truth is simple but often hard to accept: it's very difficult to stay fit and much easier to gain weight. The key to success lies in something we don't talk about enough – body control. You must learn to control your impulses rather than letting them control you. When your body craves unhealthy food or wants to skip a workout, that's precisely when you need to assert control.
Small Steps Lead to Big Results
You don't need to be a professional athlete to benefit from exercise. Starting small is perfectly acceptable:
- Begin with light jogging or walking
- Start with lifting just 5-10 pounds instead of aiming for 100
- Gradually increase intensity as your strength returns
The important thing is consistency, not intensity. Your health is fundamental to achieving all other goals in life, which is why regular exercise should be a priority regardless of your fitness level.
Adjusting Workout Intensity After Illness
When returning to exercise after being sick, it's important to adjust the intensity to match your current energy levels. For example, if you normally run at speed level 7 on a treadmill, you might need to reduce to level 3-5 until your strength returns.
Pay attention to how your body responds. Notice when you start sweating after being cold – this is a sign your metabolism is activating again. Track simple metrics like calories burned to gauge your progress without overexerting yourself.
The Mental Victory
Perhaps the most important aspect of getting back to exercise after illness is the mental victory. By pushing through the initial discomfort, you prove to yourself that you can overcome obstacles. This mental resilience will serve you well in all aspects of your fitness journey.
Remember that every fitness journey has interruptions – illness, life events, or other circumstances will occasionally derail your routine. The true measure of success isn't avoiding these interruptions but how quickly you return to your healthy habits afterward.
So the next time you're feeling under the weather, give yourself the appropriate rest, but don't extend it longer than necessary. Your body will thank you for getting back to movement as soon as you reasonably can.
