The Importance of Consistency: Returning to Exercise After Illness
Getting back into your exercise routine after being sick can be challenging, but it's also one of the most important steps in your recovery process. After just a few days without movement, our bodies can become stiff, achy, and resistant to activity.
As one fitness enthusiast recently discovered, “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. 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 Mental Battle of Returning to Exercise
The hardest part of getting back to your workout routine isn't always physical—it's mental. You need to push yourself past the initial discomfort and remember why you started in the first place.
“It is very hard to lose weight. Very easy to gain weight. 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. That's why when you feel like eating something unhealthy, you say, no. I will not eat this today. I will exercise instead.”
Small Steps Lead to Big Gains
You don't need to jump back into intense workouts immediately. Starting small is perfectly acceptable and even recommended when returning after illness.
“We need to exercise anyhow we can, we must not be professional as well. You must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. If you cannot lift 10 pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
Tracking Your Progress
Using equipment with tracking features can help you monitor your progress and gradually increase intensity. Whether you're tracking time, calories burned, or speed, these metrics can serve as motivation.
“When I lose weight, I'll start running at higher speeds. But now, I can do up to seven, but not 10, not 11, not 12. 12 is the highest.”
The Benefits of Consistency
Even a short 20-minute workout can make a significant difference in how you feel. Regular exercise helps improve your health, energy levels, and overall mood.
“Your health is what? When you are in good health, you can achieve. It's only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals. That is why we need to run. We need to exercise.”
Listen to Your Body
While pushing yourself is important, it's equally crucial to listen to your body, especially when recovering from illness. Start with lower intensity workouts and gradually increase as your strength returns.
“I'm doing better today. My energy level is coming back.”
Remember, consistency is key. Even if you can only manage short workouts initially, those small efforts add up over time and will help you get back to your previous fitness level faster than you might expect.
