Getting Back to Exercise After Illness: A Personal Journey
There's nothing quite like the feeling of getting back to exercise after being sidelined by illness. After several days of feeling sick and not exercising, I experienced firsthand how quickly the body can become stiff and uncomfortable. Stretching became painful, even in areas like the back of my legs, my nails, and my toes – all because of a lack of movement.
Despite still dealing with a headache, a runny nose, and neck pain, I made the decision to push through and get my body moving again. The difference was remarkable – even after just a short workout session, I could already feel my energy returning.
The Challenge of Getting Started Again
The truth about fitness is simple but often difficult to accept: it's very hard to exercise and lose weight, but extremely easy to gain it. This reality hit home during my recovery period. When I attempted to jog just a day earlier, I couldn't sustain even five minutes without stopping. But with each day of movement, my stamina began to improve.
The key to success lies in body control – not just physical control, but mental discipline as well. It means controlling your mouth, your cravings, and forcing your body to move even when it doesn't want to. It's about saying ‘no' to that extra snack and ‘yes' to getting up and moving.
Starting Small and Building Up
You don't need to be a professional or lift hundreds of pounds to make progress. Starting with just 5 or 10 pounds is perfectly fine. The important thing is to begin somewhere and gradually build up your strength and endurance. Little by little, improvement will come.
With my treadmill, I'm currently keeping my speed moderate. The machine offers settings up to 12, but I'm comfortable at around speed 5-7 for now. Before my illness, I could manage up to speed 9, and eventually I'll work my way back up there. At my current weight, attempting the maximum speed of 10-12 would be dangerous – but that gives me something to work toward.
The Value of Health
When you're in good health, it's easy to take it for granted. It's only when illness prevents you from doing certain activities that you truly appreciate what you had. That's why consistent exercise is so important – it helps maintain the health we often don't appreciate until it's compromised.
Even after a short workout, I could feel my body temperature rising from cold to sweating, a sign that my metabolism was awakening. With each session, my energy level continues to improve, bringing me closer to returning to my regular gym routine.
Remember, fitness isn't about perfection – it's about consistency and gradual improvement. Push yourself, but listen to your body. And most importantly, never give up on your health goals, even after a setback.
