How Exercise Helped Me Recover From Illness: A Personal Journey
When illness strikes, our natural instinct is often to rest completely. However, sometimes a gradual return to physical activity can be exactly what our bodies need to recover fully. This was my recent experience after feeling sick for several days.
After being unwell and avoiding exercise, I discovered that complete inactivity actually made me feel worse. My body became stiff, stretching became painful, and even my back, legs, and toes ached from the lack of movement. This reinforced an important fitness truth: our bodies are designed to move.
The Challenge of Returning to Exercise
Getting back into a workout routine after illness isn't easy. As I experienced firsthand, that first workout can be particularly challenging. Even five minutes of light jogging felt difficult during my first attempt back.
The good news is that improvement comes quickly. By the second day, I could already sustain jogging for longer periods. By the third day, my energy levels were noticeably returning, and I was able to maintain a steady pace while carrying on a conversation – a clear sign of recovery.
The Mental Battle of Exercise
One of the most profound insights from this experience was recognizing that fitness is largely a mental challenge. As I noted during my workout, “It is very hard to exercise, but very easy to gain weight. Very hard to lose weight, very easy to get weight.”
The key is learning to control your body rather than letting it control you. This means:
- Controlling your mouth and food choices
- Forcing your body to move even when it's difficult
- Pushing yourself just beyond your comfort zone
Start Where You Are
An important lesson for anyone beginning or returning to fitness is that you don't need to be perfect. You don't need to lift heavy weights or run marathons to benefit from exercise. As I mentioned, “We need not be professional. You don't have to lift 100 pounds or 200 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds.”
This progressive approach is sustainable and builds confidence as you improve gradually.
Monitoring Your Progress
Using equipment that tracks your metrics can be highly motivating. My treadmill displays time, calories burned, number of steps, incline, and speed. These metrics provide immediate feedback and help guide your workouts.
I've learned to adjust the speed based on my current fitness level. While I once could handle speed level 9, I currently work at level 7. The goal is to eventually return to higher speeds as my fitness improves.
The Reward of Persistence
Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of returning to exercise after illness is feeling your strength and energy return. That moment when you realize you're sweating again, when you can push a little harder than the day before – these are the signs that your body is healing and strengthening.
Good health is the foundation for everything else in life. As I reflected during my workout, “When you are in good health, you can achieve all. It's only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals.”
If you're recovering from illness or just starting your fitness journey, remember that every small step counts. Be patient with yourself, start where you are, and celebrate each improvement along the way.
