The Power of Consistency: Overcoming Sickness Through Exercise
When illness strikes, our workout routines are often the first thing we sacrifice. Yet as many fitness enthusiasts discover, this decision can actually prolong recovery and lead to additional discomfort. One person's recent experience perfectly illustrates this challenging cycle and offers valuable lessons for maintaining physical wellness.
After feeling sick for several days and skipping exercise, they discovered their body had become increasingly stiff and painful. “I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my system. That did not help me at all,” they shared. The lack of movement caused unexpected pain throughout their body, particularly in their legs, back, and even extending to their toes.
The Challenging Return to Exercise
Despite still experiencing headaches and congestion, they made the decision to gradually reintroduce exercise rather than continuing to rest completely. This approach highlights an important principle in fitness: sometimes gentle movement can be more beneficial than complete inactivity, even when recovering from illness.
The workout began with light jogging, an activity that would have been impossible just two days prior. “If it goes yesterday, I cannot sustain this jogging for five minutes, no stop five minutes jogging. If it goes two days ago, that was the worst,” they explained about their gradual improvement.
The Mental Challenge of Exercise
One of the most insightful observations shared during this workout relates to the mental discipline required for consistent exercise: “It is very hard to exercise. But very easy to get weight. Very hard to lose weight. Very easy to get weight.”
This stark reality is something many fitness enthusiasts understand all too well. The solution, according to this perspective, lies in developing self-control: “All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Not lay your body, control your body. Control your mouth. Control your belly. Control your crummy. Control everything.”
Starting Small for Lasting Results
For those intimidated by fitness, the message was clear—you don't need to begin with advanced exercises: “We must not be professional as well. We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds. So we cannot lift 10 pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This incremental approach applies to cardio workouts as well. Using a treadmill, they demonstrated how they adjust speed settings based on their current fitness level. While they once could handle higher speeds, they now recognize their limitations and adjust accordingly, noting that the highest setting of 12 would be too challenging at their current weight.
The Reward of Persistence
By the end of the short 20-minute workout, energy levels were noticeably improved. This quick transformation serves as a powerful reminder of exercise's immediate benefits, even when we're not feeling our best.
While pushing through discomfort to exercise requires determination, the rewards—improved mood, increased energy, and better overall health—make the effort worthwhile. Sometimes the hardest workout is simply the one that gets us back on track after illness or inactivity has taken hold.
For those currently struggling with consistency in their fitness journey, remember that even small efforts matter. Your body responds to what you do today, not what you planned to do yesterday or hope to accomplish tomorrow. Each session builds not just physical strength, but the mental fortitude needed for long-term fitness success.
