The Importance of Consistency in Exercise: Bouncing Back After Illness
There's nothing quite like the feeling of getting back to exercise after being sidelined by illness. The body becomes stiff, energy levels plummet, and even the simplest movements can cause discomfort. This is exactly what happens when we neglect our physical health, even for just a few days.
After feeling sick for several days without exercising, the consequences became painfully apparent. Stiffness set in throughout the body, making even basic stretching exercises uncomfortable. The back of the legs, neck, and even toes were affected, all due to a brief period of inactivity.
Mind Over Matter: Controlling Your Body
One of the most powerful insights about fitness is that success comes from controlling your body rather than letting it control you. It's incredibly easy to gain weight but much harder to lose it. The key difference? Self-discipline.
When it comes to fitness goals, you must:
- Control your mouth – resist the urge to indulge in unhealthy foods
- Control your cravings – recognize but don't give in to them
- Force your body to move – even when it feels difficult
The body will naturally resist change and seek comfort, but pushing through that resistance is where real progress happens.
Starting Small: The Power of Gradual Progress
You don't need to be a professional athlete to benefit from exercise. Starting small is perfectly acceptable and often the most sustainable approach. If you can't lift 100 pounds, start with 10 pounds or even 5 pounds. The important thing is to begin somewhere and build gradually.
This principle applies to cardio exercise as well. As fitness improves, you can increase intensity levels. For example, on a treadmill, you might start at level 3 or 5, then work your way up to 7 or higher as your endurance builds. The highest levels (like 10-12) may seem impossible at first, but with consistent effort, they become achievable goals.
The Recovery Process
When returning to exercise after illness, pay attention to how your body responds. Initial sessions might be challenging – you may find yourself tiring quickly or unable to maintain the same intensity as before. This is normal and part of the recovery process.
Signs that your body is recovering include:
- Increased energy levels
- Ability to sustain activity for longer periods
- Improved mood and mental clarity
- Return of normal sweating patterns during exercise
What might have been impossible yesterday (like jogging continuously for five minutes) may become achievable as your health improves.
The Bigger Picture: Health and Achievement
Good health is the foundation for all other achievements in life. When you're not well, even your most important goals become difficult or impossible to pursue. This perspective helps motivate consistent exercise – it's not just about aesthetics but about creating the physical foundation that supports everything else you want to accomplish.
Regular exercise, even in short 20-minute sessions, can help maintain this foundation and prevent the setbacks that come with extended inactivity.
The journey to fitness isn't always linear, but consistency is what ultimately leads to success. By controlling your body rather than letting it control you, starting where you are, and gradually building strength and endurance, you create a sustainable approach to physical health that supports all your life goals.
