How to Push Through Exercise When Recovering from Illness
Getting back into exercise after being sick can be challenging, but it's essential for restoring your health and energy levels. After several days of illness and inactivity, your body quickly becomes stiff and uncomfortable – a reminder of how quickly we can lose fitness when we stop moving.
When recovering from illness, many people make the mistake of remaining inactive for too long. However, as this experience shows, continued inactivity only compounds the problem. Without regular movement, everything from your legs to your back can become painful and stiff, making the return to exercise even more difficult.
The Importance of Pushing Your Body
One of the most valuable lessons in fitness is learning to control your body rather than letting it control you. This means:
- Controlling what you eat even when cravings hit
- Forcing yourself to move even when you don't feel like it
- Starting with whatever you can manage – even if it's just a few minutes
The road back to fitness after illness isn't about immediately returning to your previous level. It's about gradually rebuilding your stamina and strength.
Signs You're Ready to Exercise Again
How do you know when it's time to start moving again after being sick? Look for these indicators:
- Your energy levels are beginning to return
- Major symptoms like severe headaches have subsided
- You can sustain light activity without immediate fatigue
- You're starting to feel restless from inactivity
When returning to exercise, start with lower intensity than your normal routine. In this case, light jogging on a treadmill proved to be an excellent way to gauge recovery progress.
Adapting Your Workout to Your Current Abilities
Remember that fitness is relative to your current condition. When recovering:
- Pay attention to how long you can sustain activity
- Monitor your calorie burn for objective feedback
- Adjust speed and intensity to match your energy levels
- Keep workouts shorter than usual (20 minutes can be plenty)
For treadmill workouts specifically, lower the speed settings until you rebuild your stamina. What was once an easy speed (levels 7-9) might be too challenging during recovery, so don't hesitate to drop to levels 2-5 temporarily.
The Mental Benefits of Return to Exercise
Beyond the physical benefits, getting back to exercise after illness provides tremendous psychological advantages:
- Reduces the mental fog that often accompanies sickness
- Provides a sense of accomplishment and normalcy
- Helps establish that you're on the road to recovery
- Releases endorphins that can help with lingering discomfort
The key is consistency rather than intensity. A short, gentle workout that you can complete is far better than attempting something too strenuous that might set back your recovery.
Remember that good health is the foundation upon which all other achievements are built. Taking care of your body through regular exercise—even when it's challenging—is one of the most important investments you can make in yourself.
