The Importance of Exercise After Illness: A Personal Recovery Journey
After several days of feeling sick and not exercising, I experienced firsthand how quickly the body can become stiff and uncomfortable. My lack of physical activity left me with pain in my legs, neck, and even my toes. This experience reinforced an important lesson about consistency in fitness that applies to everyone on a health journey.
Getting back to exercise after illness can be challenging. When I initially tried to stretch, everything hurt. My head was aching, and my body felt weak. However, I knew that continuing to lie down wouldn't help my recovery.
Why You Should Push Through Discomfort
It's remarkably easy to gain weight but much harder to lose it. The key to success lies in not letting your body control you—instead, you must take control of your body. This means:
- Controlling your mouth and food intake
- Saying no when necessary
- Forcing your body to move even when it's difficult
When you feel like eating something unhealthy, you have the power to say no. When you don't feel like exercising, you can push yourself to do it anyway. It's not easy, but it's necessary.
Starting Small Is Better Than Not Starting
You don't need to be a professional or lift hundreds of pounds to benefit from exercise. Start with what you can manage—even if that's just 5 or 10 pounds. Little by little, your strength will improve.
The same applies to cardio exercise. I started with a moderate jogging pace on my treadmill. When I was in better shape, I could handle level 7 speed, and previously even up to level 9. The highest setting (12) isn't currently realistic for me, but that's okay. Working at level 5-7 is perfect for my current fitness level.
Recognizing Progress
After just a short workout, I could already feel my energy returning. My body went from feeling cold to working up a good sweat. I tracked calories burned (nearly 200) and could feel my stamina improving as I continued.
Even more importantly, my mood lifted considerably. Exercise truly is medicine—not just for the body, but for the mind as well.
The Takeaway
Good health is the foundation for achieving all other goals. When you're unwell or unfit, it becomes much harder to pursue what matters to you. That's why regular exercise is so important, regardless of your current fitness level.
If you've been sick or inactive, don't wait for perfect conditions to restart your fitness routine. Begin with whatever movement you can manage today, and build from there. Your body—and mind—will thank you.
