The Importance of Consistency in Exercise: My Recovery Journey
When it comes to fitness, consistency is key. After feeling sick for several days and missing my regular exercise routine, I experienced firsthand how quickly our bodies can become stiff and uncomfortable without proper movement.
The lack of exercise left me with aching muscles, stiff joints, and even pain in unexpected places like my toes. This was a powerful reminder that our bodies are designed to move, and when we don't maintain regular physical activity, we pay the price.
Pushing Through When You Don't Feel Like It
One of the hardest aspects of maintaining a fitness routine is pushing yourself to exercise when you don't feel 100%. It's very easy to gain weight and extremely challenging to lose it – this is why consistency matters so much.
The key is not letting your body control you, but rather taking control of your body. Some days you won't feel like exercising, but those are often the most important days to push through. Even a short 20-minute workout can make a significant difference in how you feel.
Starting Small and Building Up
You don't need to be a fitness professional to benefit from regular exercise. As I worked to regain my strength after being sick, I was reminded that we all have to start somewhere. You don't need to lift 100 pounds right away – start with 5 or 10 pounds and gradually increase as your strength improves.
The same principle applies to cardio exercise. I used a treadmill with various settings for speed and incline, but I had to be realistic about my current capabilities. When I was at my peak fitness, I could run at speeds of 7 or even 9, but after being sick, I needed to adjust my expectations.
Monitoring Your Progress
Using equipment that tracks metrics like calories burned can be highly motivating. Seeing that I burned nearly 200 calories in my short workout session was encouraging and helped me recognize that even when I'm not at my best, every bit of movement counts.
The most important thing is to listen to your body while still challenging yourself. Some discomfort is normal when exercising, especially after a break, but pushing through that initial resistance is what builds strength and endurance.
The Mental Health Benefits
Beyond the physical benefits, getting back to my exercise routine after being sick provided an immediate mood boost. Even though I still had some lingering symptoms – a headache and congestion – the act of moving my body and working up a sweat helped me feel more like myself again.
Regular exercise is crucial not just for physical health but for mental wellbeing too. When we're in good health, we're better equipped to achieve our goals and tackle life's challenges.
Conclusion
Whether you're recovering from illness like I was or just struggling to maintain consistency in your fitness routine, remember that every workout counts. You don't have to be perfect – you just have to keep showing up. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. Your body will thank you for it.
