How to Push Through Sickness and Get Back to Your Workout Routine

Getting back to exercise after being sick can be challenging. Your body feels stiff, your energy is low, and everything seems to hurt. However, pushing through this phase is crucial for regaining your strength and continuing your fitness journey.

After feeling sick for several days without exercising, many people experience stiffness throughout their body. Even simple stretches become painful – from the back of your legs to your toes. This discomfort is your body's way of telling you it misses movement.

Why Exercise Matters During Recovery

While it might seem counterintuitive to exercise when recovering from illness, gentle movement can actually speed up your recovery process. The key is to ease back into your routine gradually rather than jumping straight into intense workouts.

Light jogging or walking for just 5-10 minutes can help restore energy levels and reduce stiffness. As your strength returns, you can slowly increase the duration and intensity of your workouts.

Mind Over Matter: Taking Control

Fitness is largely about mental discipline. As the saying goes, it's “very hard to lose weight but very easy to gain it.” The secret lies in controlling your body rather than letting it control you.

This means:

• Controlling your mouth – resisting unnecessary snacking
• Managing your cravings
• Forcing your body to move even when it doesn't want to

While it's not easy, this mental fortitude is what separates those who achieve their fitness goals from those who don't.

Start Small, Progress Steadily

You don't need to be a professional athlete or lift heavy weights to benefit from exercise. Starting with what you can handle is perfectly fine:

• If you can't lift 100 pounds, start with 10 pounds or even 5 pounds
• If you can't run at high speeds (like 10-12 on a treadmill), start at level 3 or 5
• As your fitness improves, gradually increase intensity

The treadmill offers various metrics to track your progress: calories burned, distance covered, speed, and incline level. These measurements help you set achievable goals and celebrate small victories.

Consistency is Key

Even a short 20-minute workout is valuable when recovering. The goal isn't to break records but to reestablish the habit of moving regularly. With each session, you'll find your energy returning and your body becoming less stiff.

Remember that your health is your wealth. When you're in good health, you can pursue your goals and dreams. But when sickness keeps you inactive, everything else suffers too.

So get up, shake your body, and say “No more lying down! No more sickness!” Your comeback journey starts with that first step.