Why You Shouldn't Skip Exercise Even When You're Sick

Taking a break from your fitness routine when you're feeling under the weather might seem like the right thing to do, but as I recently discovered, completely stopping exercise can actually make you feel worse. After feeling sick for several days and skipping my workouts, I experienced increased stiffness, pain, and discomfort throughout my body.

My muscles tightened up, stretching became painful, and even the back of my legs, nails, and toes were causing me discomfort. This experience reminded me of an important fitness truth: it's very hard to lose weight but very easy to gain it.

Getting Back on Track

Despite still feeling some symptoms – an aching head, congested nose, and neck pain – I forced myself to get moving again. The difference was almost immediate. After just a short workout session, I could feel my energy returning and my body responding positively.

This experience reinforced something I've always believed: you must control your body, not let your body control you. When you feel like skipping a workout, that's precisely when you need to push yourself the most.

Mind Over Matter

Fitness success comes down to control – controlling your mouth, your cravings, and your impulses. When your body says it wants to rest, sometimes you need to say no and exercise anyway. It's not easy, but forcing your body to move even when you don't feel like it is what creates results.

I started with light jogging on my treadmill, monitoring my body's response. I was surprised at how quickly I began to feel better – the sweating started, my energy increased, and my mood improved. The workout didn't need to be intense or lengthy – just enough to wake up my body and get things moving again.

Finding Your Pace

We don't all need to be fitness professionals lifting hundreds of pounds. Starting with whatever you can manage – even if it's just 5 or 10 pounds – is enough to keep your body functioning properly. The key is consistency and gradual improvement.

My treadmill workout demonstrated this perfectly. Rather than trying to reach my previous speeds (levels 9-12), I settled for a comfortable level 7. This was enough to challenge my body without overexerting myself while recovering.

Remember that good health is the foundation for everything else in life. When you're not healthy, you simply can't achieve your goals or live your best life. That's why we must prioritize exercise and movement, even when we don't feel our best.

So the next time you're tempted to take an extended break from fitness due to minor illness or discomfort, consider a gentler workout instead. Your body will thank you, and you'll avoid the pain and stiffness that comes from complete inactivity.