How to Push Through Exercise When You're Feeling Sick: A Recovery Story
We've all been there – feeling under the weather and reluctant to get moving. But as many fitness enthusiasts discover, sometimes a lack of exercise can make you feel worse, not better. This was exactly the experience shared by one determined individual on their journey back to wellness.
After feeling sick for several days and avoiding exercise, they experienced something counterintuitive – their body became stiff and painful. “I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and that did not help me at all. Not exercising did not help me, but made my body stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my nails, my toes, everything pained me because of lack of exercise.”
The Mind-Body Connection in Fitness
One of the most important aspects of maintaining a consistent fitness routine is learning to take control of your body rather than letting it control you. As our fitness enthusiast puts it: “It is very hard to lose weight, but very easy to gain weight. All you need to do is to push your body. Not letting your body control you – you control your body. Control your mouth.”
This mental discipline extends beyond just exercise to nutrition choices as well. When cravings hit, having the willpower to say “no” is critical: “When you feel like eating something, you say, no. I will not eat today. I will exercise. Just go ahead, control your mouth. Control your belly.”
Building Back After Illness
Recovery from illness is rarely a straight line. Our fitness enthusiast noted their gradual improvement: “Yesterday I couldn't sustain jogging for five minutes without stopping. Two days ago was the worst.”
But persistence pays off. By pushing through discomfort (safely), they found their endurance returning: “No more lying down, no more sickness, no more headache. I'm back!”
Start Where You Are
Perhaps the most valuable takeaway is that fitness doesn't require perfection or professional-level performance. “We need to exercise anyhow we can. You must not be professional. You must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. If you cannot lift 10 pounds, just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This gradual approach applies to cardio workouts too. The fitness enthusiast shared that they currently run at speed level 7 on their treadmill, though they once managed level 9. They recognize their current limitations: “If I put it on 10, I will fall because of my weight. But I used to put up to 7. Before, I used to put up to 9.”
The Importance of Health for Achievement
Our health forms the foundation for everything else we hope to accomplish. As our fitness enthusiast reminds us: “Your health is what? When you are in good health, you can achieve. It's only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals.”
By the end of their workout, they had burned nearly 200 calories and were feeling the positive effects of movement: “I was cold before, but now I'm sweating. My energy level is coming back.”
Remember that fitness is a journey, not a destination. Whether you're recovering from illness or just trying to establish a consistent routine, every step counts toward better health and strength.
