Overcoming Sickness Through Movement: The Importance of Consistent Exercise
When you're feeling under the weather, the thought of exercise might be the furthest thing from your mind. However, as many fitness enthusiasts discover, a period of inactivity can often leave your body feeling worse than before. This is exactly what happened to one dedicated fitness advocate who recently experienced how quickly the body can stiffen and deteriorate after just a few days without movement.
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and it did not do any good for my system,” they shared. “Not exercising did not help me, but made my body stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my knees, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”
Pushing Through Discomfort
Despite feeling unwell with a headache, congestion, and general fatigue, they made the decision to get moving again. This determination demonstrates an important principle in fitness: sometimes you need to push your body, even when you don't feel like it.
“It is very hard to lose weight, but very easy to gain weight,” they observed. This insight resonates with many who struggle with fitness goals. The solution? “You need to do it. Push your body. Force it. Don't let your body control you—you control your body.”
Self-Control: The Key to Fitness Success
One of the most valuable takeaways from this experience is the emphasis on self-control, particularly when it comes to nutrition:
- “Control your mouth”
- “Control your belly”
- “Force your body to move”
This discipline is essential for anyone serious about their fitness journey. Even when temptation strikes, having the willpower to say “no” and stick to your exercise routine makes all the difference.
Starting Small: The Realistic Approach
For those intimidated by fitness, remember that you don't need to be a professional or lift extreme weights to benefit from exercise. “We must not be professional… We must not lift 100 pounds! Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds.”
This graduated approach is exactly what makes sustainable fitness possible. As they put it, “Little by little, we are going to be fine.”
The Health-Achievement Connection
Perhaps most importantly, this experience highlights the fundamental connection between health and achieving your goals: “Your health is what? 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.”
This perspective serves as a powerful reminder of why physical fitness matters beyond just looking good—it's about creating the physical foundation that allows you to pursue everything else in life.
Adapting to Your Fitness Level
Being aware of your current capabilities is crucial for safe and effective exercise. As demonstrated in the cardio session, understanding your limits helps prevent injury while still challenging yourself. Whether it's adjusting the speed on a treadmill or modifying an exercise, customizing your workout to your fitness level ensures you can maintain consistency.
Remember that fitness is a journey, not a destination. The energy and vitality that come from regular movement are worth the effort, even when you have to push through discomfort to get there.
The next time you're feeling under the weather or lacking motivation, remember that sometimes the best remedy is to get moving, even if it's just a little bit. Your body—and your goals—will thank you.
