The Power of Consistency: Getting Back on Track After Illness

After feeling under the weather for several days, I've learned a valuable lesson about consistent exercise. Being sick and inactive for just a short period made my body incredibly stiff – even basic stretches became painful. My legs, neck, back, and even my toes experienced discomfort from the lack of movement.

This experience reinforced something I've always believed: it's much harder to lose weight than to gain it. The key is not letting your body control you, but rather taking control of your body. This means controlling what you eat, when you eat, and ensuring you stay active even when you don't feel like it.

The Importance of Pushing Through

Sometimes we need to force ourselves to move. After several days of illness where I could barely maintain a five-minute jog, I'm finally back to exercising again. The difference is noticeable – my energy is returning, and I'm feeling better with each passing day.

Your health is your foundation. When you're in good health, you can achieve your goals. When you can't perform certain physical activities, those goals become much harder to reach. That's why we need to stay active in whatever way we can.

Start Where You Are

You don't need to be a professional athlete or lift hundreds of pounds to benefit from exercise. Start small – maybe with just 5 or 10 pounds if that's what your body can handle. Progress comes gradually, and consistency is more important than intensity.

For cardio workouts, adjust the intensity to match your current fitness level. If you're just getting back into exercise after illness or a long break, begin with a comfortable pace. As your fitness improves, you can gradually increase the speed and duration.

Listen to Your Body

While pushing yourself is important, it's equally crucial to respect your body's limits. When I was at my peak fitness, I could run at much higher speeds on the treadmill. Now, I need to be more conservative to avoid injury.

The goal isn't to exhaust yourself in one session but to build a sustainable routine you can maintain. Short, consistent workouts are better than occasional intense sessions followed by days of recovery.

Remember that every workout counts, even the shorter ones. A 20-minute session is still beneficial for your cardiovascular health, muscle tone, and mental wellbeing. The most important thing is showing up and getting your body moving.