Fighting Through Sickness: Why You Shouldn't Stop Exercising When You're Under the Weather

We've all been there – feeling under the weather, lacking energy, and thinking the best solution is to rest completely. But is total inactivity actually beneficial when you're feeling sick? One fitness enthusiast recently discovered that the answer might be no.

After several days of feeling ill and skipping workouts, they experienced something unexpected: their body became stiff and uncomfortable. “I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for myself. That did not help me at all. Not exercising did not help me, but made my body to be stiff,” they shared.

The Consequences of Inactivity During Illness

The effects of completely stopping exercise while sick were surprising and uncomfortable: “I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my nails, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”

This experience highlights an important fitness principle – maintaining some level of movement, even when feeling under the weather, can prevent the body from becoming stiff and achy. Complete rest isn't always the best medicine.

Finding Balance: Gentle Movement During Recovery

Despite still experiencing symptoms like headache and congestion, they decided to attempt a light workout. “I still feel my neck, my head is aching me, my nose is growing, but I will be fine,” they noted before beginning a gentle jog on their treadmill.

The workout wasn't about pushing to extremes but rather awakening the body systems that had become sluggish during illness. Within minutes of moving, positive changes began: “I was cold now, but now I'm sweating.”

The Mental Battle of Exercise

Perhaps the most valuable insight shared was about the mental discipline required for fitness: “It is very hard to lose weight, but very easy to gain weight. All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Not letting your body control you. Control your body.”

This concept of mind over matter extends to healthy eating habits as well: “Control your mouth. Even if you feel like it is your trauma. You say, no. I will not eat today's trauma. I will exercise.”

Starting Small for Big Results

For those intimidated by fitness, the message was clear – you don't need to be a professional or lift heavy weights to benefit from exercise: “We must not be professional as well. You must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds.”

This gradual approach makes fitness accessible to everyone, regardless of current fitness level or health status. “Little by little, we are going to be fine,” they reassured.

Listening to Your Body While Challenging It

The workout demonstrated an important balance between pushing yourself and respecting your limitations. While jogging, they monitored their energy levels and adjusted accordingly, noting that when healthy, they could handle higher speeds on the treadmill.

“When I lose weight, I'll start running 10. Because that way you have to run fast. If I put it now, I will fall. If I put 10, I will fall. Because of my weight.”

The Reward of Persistence

By the end of the short workout, the benefits were already apparent: “My energy level is coming back.” This quick return on investment shows why gentle movement can be so valuable during recovery from illness.

The next time you're feeling under the weather, consider whether complete rest is truly what your body needs, or if a gentle, modified workout might help prevent stiffness and maintain your energy levels as you recover.