Why You Shouldn't Skip Exercise When You're Sick: A Personal Experience
When illness strikes, our first instinct is often to rest completely. However, as many fitness enthusiasts discover, extended periods without movement can leave the body feeling worse. This was precisely my experience after several days of sickness-induced inactivity.
After feeling sick for several days and avoiding exercise, I noticed my body became increasingly stiff. Simple stretches became painful – even the back of my legs, hamstrings, and toes caused discomfort. The lack of movement had made everything worse rather than better.
The Difficulty of Getting Back on Track
It's a universal truth in fitness: losing weight is significantly harder than gaining it. The key difference lies in control – specifically, controlling your body rather than letting it control you.
When returning to exercise after illness, I had to remind myself of an important principle: “Don't let your body control you; you control your body.” This applies to eating habits as well as exercise routines. Sometimes we need to force ourselves to move, even when it feels challenging.
Signs of Recovery Through Movement
The improvement from day to day can be remarkable when you restart your fitness routine. At my lowest point, I couldn't maintain even five minutes of continuous jogging. But within just a day or two of resuming activity, my stamina began returning.
The physical signs of recovery were clear – from feeling cold at the start of exercise to breaking a sweat as my circulation improved. My energy levels noticeably increased with each workout session.
Starting Small: The Key to Consistency
We don't need to be professional athletes or lift hundreds of pounds to benefit from exercise. The most important approach is to start wherever you are:
- Begin with light weights – even just 5 or 10 pounds
- Adjust workout intensity to your current ability
- Increase gradually as strength returns
For example, when using a treadmill, I had to adjust my speed settings based on my current condition. While I once could handle speed levels of 7-9, illness and weight fluctuations required scaling back. The maximum setting of 12 remains a future goal to work toward.
The Connection Between Health and Achievement
Our health directly impacts our ability to achieve our goals. When we're physically compromised, even basic tasks become challenging, making larger aspirations seem impossible.
Regular exercise – even modest amounts – helps maintain the baseline health needed to pursue our ambitions. It's an investment in future possibilities.
By prioritizing movement even during recovery periods, we can bounce back faster and maintain the momentum needed for long-term fitness success.
