How I Fought Through Sickness to Return to Exercise
We've all been there – feeling sick, lethargic, and watching our fitness routine come to a grinding halt. Today, I want to share my personal experience of returning to exercise after several days of illness, and why pushing through (safely) made all the difference.
After feeling sick for several days and completely avoiding exercise, I noticed something alarming: my body became stiff and uncomfortable. Even basic stretching became painful – the back of my legs, my nails, my toes – everything hurt. This was a powerful reminder that lack of exercise doesn't help recovery; it often makes things worse.
The Difficult Return
Despite still experiencing neck pain, headaches, and congestion, I made the decision to get back on the treadmill. The first session was challenging – I couldn't sustain jogging for even five minutes without stopping. But each day got better. The energy slowly returned, and with it came the determination to push through.
There's something important I realized during this process: it's very easy to gain weight but much harder to dress nicely when you've let yourself go. This is why we must learn to control our bodies rather than letting our bodies control us.
Taking Control of Your Health
When your body says it wants that snack, sometimes you need to say no. When it wants to stay in bed instead of exercising, you need to force it to move. It's not easy, but this control over your cravings and commitment to movement is what ultimately brings results.
As I jogged on the treadmill, gradually increasing my endurance, I was reminded of something fundamental: your health is everything. When you're in good health, you can achieve your goals. It's only when illness or poor fitness holds you back that your dreams become unreachable.
Start Where You Are
You don't need to be a professional or lift 100 pounds right away. Start by lifting 5 or 10 pounds. If that's too much, start even smaller. The key is consistency and gradual improvement.
On my treadmill, I used to run at speed level 10 when I was at my fittest. Now, after gaining weight and recovering from illness, I can only manage up to level 7. The highest setting is 12, and I hope to work my way back up there eventually. But I recognize that pushing too hard too fast could result in injury or failure.
By the end of my 20-minute workout, I had burned nearly 200 calories and could feel my energy returning. The sweat was proof that my body was awakening from its sickness-induced slumber.
The Takeaway
If you're struggling with illness or have taken time away from exercise, remember that getting back into it may be uncomfortable at first, but it's often the best medicine. Listen to your body, start slow, but be firm with yourself when needed.
Don't let temporary setbacks become permanent excuses. Your health is worth fighting for, and sometimes that means pushing through discomfort to reclaim your fitness journey.
