Pushing Through Sickness: The Importance of Staying Active
When illness strikes, our first instinct is often to lie down and rest. While recovery certainly requires rest, extended periods of inactivity can leave our bodies stiff, achy, and even prolong certain symptoms. This is exactly what one fitness enthusiast discovered after several days of being sidelined by sickness.
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my system,” they shared. “Not exercising did not help me, but made my body to be stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my ankles, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”
The Consequences of Inactivity
Even a short period without movement can lead to surprising discomfort. Many people experience increased stiffness, joint pain, and even heightened symptoms when they completely eliminate physical activity during illness. The key is finding the right balance between rest and gentle movement.
Despite still feeling some symptoms – “I still feel my neck, my head is aching me, my nose is growing, but I will be fine” – getting back to a moderate exercise routine proved beneficial for overall recovery and well-being.
Getting Back on Track
Returning to exercise after illness should be gradual. In this case, a 20-minute workout focusing on getting the body moving again proved to be the perfect re-entry point. The goal wasn't to break personal records but simply to reactivate muscles and improve circulation.
The difference was noticeable even between consecutive days of recovery: “If it was yesterday, I cannot sustain this jogging for five minutes, no stop five minutes jogging. If it was two days ago, that was the worst of them.”
The Mental Challenge of Exercise
One of the most important aspects of maintaining fitness is the mental discipline required: “It is very hard to dress nice, but very easy to get weight. Very hard to lose weight, very easy to get weight. All you need to do is to push your body, you force it. Not letting your body control you, you control your body, control your mouth.”
This mental fortitude becomes even more crucial when recovering from illness. The body may resist movement, but gentle persistence often leads to improved energy and faster recovery.
Start Where You Are
Perhaps the most valuable insight is the reminder that fitness isn't about comparison or perfection: “We must not be professional as well. We must not lift 100 pounds to 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. So we cannot lift 10 pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This approach is especially important when easing back into activity after illness. The goal isn't to immediately return to pre-illness performance levels but to gradually rebuild strength and endurance.
Listening to Your Body
While pushing through mild symptoms can sometimes be beneficial, it's equally important to adjust workout intensity based on how you feel. In this case, using a treadmill allowed for precise control over speed and intensity.
“The treadmill has timer, has calories, has number of stairs, distance, speed limit… five is speed running, and six is also speed. When I lose weight, I'll start running ten, because that way you have to pop up. If I put it now, I will fall.”
This self-awareness about current capabilities versus future goals demonstrates a healthy approach to fitness progression.
The Reward of Persistence
By the end of the workout, despite initial fatigue and lingering symptoms, there was a noticeable improvement: “I'm doing better today… now I'm sweating.” This physical response indicates that the body was responding positively to the reintroduction of activity.
The calorie counter showing over 200 calories burned represented not just physical exertion but a victory over illness and inactivity. “My energy level is coming back,” was the final triumphant observation.
Finding Your Balance
When recovering from illness, consider these approaches:
- Start with gentle movement rather than intense workouts
- Listen to your body but don't let minor discomfort completely sideline you
- Gradually increase intensity as energy returns
- Focus on consistency rather than performance
- Celebrate small victories in your recovery process
Remember that maintaining some level of activity, when appropriate, can actually support your body's healing process and prevent the additional discomfort that comes from extended inactivity.
