Overcoming Sickness Through Exercise: How to Push Your Body When You Don't Feel Like It
After feeling sick for several days without exercising, one fitness enthusiast discovered what many of us learn the hard way – lack of physical activity can actually make you feel worse. “I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my system. That did not help me at all,” they shared during a recent workout session.
The consequences of inactivity quickly became apparent: “Not exercising did not help me, but made my body to be stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my knees, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”
Mind Over Matter: Taking Control of Your Fitness
One of the most powerful insights shared during this workout was about the mental aspect of fitness: “It is very hard to lose weight. Very easy to get weight.” This simple but profound observation highlights why consistency matters so much in fitness journeys.
The key approach recommended? “All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Not letting your body control you. Control your body. Control your mouth.” This mindset shift from being controlled by cravings to taking charge of your decisions can make all the difference.
Starting Small After a Setback
When returning to exercise after illness, it's important to ease back in while still challenging yourself. “We must not be professional as well. We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds. Some of us cannot lift 10 pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This gradual approach applies to cardio as well. While previously able to run at higher speeds on the treadmill (“I used to put up to seven. Before, I used to put up to nine”), starting smaller after being sick is both practical and necessary.
Monitoring Progress and Celebrating Small Wins
Even during this recovery workout, tracking metrics provided motivation: “We are almost at 200 calories. Good. My energy level is coming back.” These measurable indicators of progress, however small, can be powerful motivation tools when rebuilding fitness after a setback.
The Compounding Benefits of Consistency
Perhaps the most important takeaway is how quickly our bodies respond – both to inactivity and to renewed movement. After just one workout session, there was already a noticeable difference: “I'm fine. Yesterday I couldn't. Because the energy is coming back.”
Your health truly is your wealth. As was wisely noted, “When you are in good health, you cannot… It's only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals. That is why we need to run.”
Whether you're recovering from illness or simply struggling with motivation, remember that pushing through those initial uncomfortable moments of exercise often leads to the energy and vitality you're seeking. Control your body, don't let it control you, and watch your strength and resilience grow with each workout.
