How to Push Through Exercise When You're Not Feeling Your Best
We've all been there – feeling under the weather, unmotivated, or just plain exhausted. But as many fitness enthusiasts know, sometimes the best remedy is to get moving again, even when your body is resisting.
After feeling sick for several days and avoiding exercise, one fitness enthusiast discovered that skipping workouts only made things worse. “I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised… That did not help me at all. Not exercising did not help me, but made my body to be stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my nails, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”
The Challenge of Getting Started Again
The truth about fitness is stark: “It's very hard to exercise. But very easy to gain weight. Very hard to lose weight. Very easy to get weight.”
When returning to exercise after illness or a break, start small. You don't need to jump back in at full intensity. Even a short 20-minute workout can help reactivate your body and begin rebuilding your stamina.
Mind Over Matter
The mental aspect of exercise cannot be overstated. As our fitness enthusiast puts it: “All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Not lay your body. Control your body. Control your mouth.”
This mental discipline extends beyond just getting yourself to exercise – it also involves dietary choices and overcoming the desire to indulge in comfort foods, especially when feeling low.
Gradual Progress Is Still Progress
You don't need to be a professional athlete to benefit from regular exercise. “You must not lift 100 pounds, just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds… Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
For cardio exercises like running or jogging, adjust the intensity to match your current fitness level. If you're using a treadmill, don't feel pressured to use the highest settings. Find what works for your body right now – you can always increase the challenge as you build strength and endurance.
The Rewards of Pushing Through
Even after just one session of light jogging, our fitness enthusiast noticed improvements: “I'm sweating now. I was cold before, but now I'm sweating.” This physical response indicates the body is engaging, warming up, and beginning to recover its normal functions.
The mental benefits were immediate too: “No more lying down. I got up. I shook my body. No more sickness. No more headache. I'm better today, definitely.”
Remember Why Health Matters
Ultimately, maintaining fitness isn't just about appearance – it's about enabling yourself to live fully. “Your health is what? When you are in good health, you can achieve. It's only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals.”
The next time you're feeling under the weather or lacking motivation, remember that even a short, light workout might be exactly what your body needs to start feeling better again.
