Pushing Through Sickness: Why You Should Keep Exercising Even When You Don't Feel Like It

Have you ever noticed how quickly your body stiffens up when you stop exercising? Even a short break from physical activity can leave you feeling achy, stiff, and uncomfortable. This is exactly what happened to me after taking a few days off due to illness.

After feeling sick for several days and avoiding exercise, I experienced significant discomfort. My body became stiff, stretching became painful, and even my back, legs, and toes hurt. The lack of exercise didn't help my recovery at all – in fact, it made me feel worse.

The Importance of Pushing Your Body

It's incredibly challenging to maintain fitness and lose weight, but gaining weight happens all too easily. The key is to take control rather than letting your body dictate your actions. When you feel like skipping a workout or indulging in unhealthy food, that's precisely when you need to exercise your willpower.

Control is essential – control your mouth, your belly, and your cravings. Don't let momentary desires derail your health goals. Instead, force your body to move even when it doesn't want to. This mental discipline is just as important as the physical exercise itself.

Starting Small Makes a Difference

You don't need to be a fitness professional to benefit from exercise. You don't need to lift hundreds of pounds or run marathons. Start by lifting 5 or 10 pounds if that's all you can manage. The important thing is consistent effort – little by little, you'll see improvement.

During my recovery, I couldn't sustain even five minutes of jogging without stopping. But each day brought improvement. Yesterday was better than the day before, and today is better than yesterday. This progression is what makes fitness achievable for everyone.

Health is Fundamental to Achievement

Good health is the foundation for everything else in life. When you're healthy, you can pursue your goals and dreams. It's only when health issues prevent certain activities that achievement becomes limited.

That's why regular exercise is so crucial – it maintains the physical foundation that supports all other aspects of life. Running, jogging, weight training, or any form of movement helps maintain this foundation.

Listening to Your Body While Challenging It

Finding the right balance is important. For instance, when using a treadmill, you need to select an appropriate speed for your fitness level. At my current weight, level 10 would be too challenging and potentially dangerous. I typically use level 7, though I used to manage level 9 when I was more fit.

The goal is to challenge yourself without overreaching. Push your limits gradually and consistently rather than attempting too much at once.

Consistency Brings Results

Even when energy levels are low or motivation is lacking, showing up for a workout – even a shortened one – keeps the habit alive. Today's workout was relatively brief, but it helped wake up my body and continue the process of recovery.

After several days of illness, I could feel my energy returning as I exercised. This reinforces a crucial lesson: sometimes the best remedy for feeling low energy is to get moving, even when that seems counterintuitive.

Remember that fitness is a journey with ups and downs. There will be days when you feel stronger and days when you struggle. The important thing is to keep showing up and putting in the effort. Your body will thank you with improved health, energy, and resilience against future illnesses.