The Importance of Exercise: My Journey Back From Illness
It's amazing how quickly our bodies can change when we stop moving. After just a few days of illness and inactivity, I experienced firsthand how detrimental a sedentary lifestyle can be to our physical wellbeing.
During my recent bout with sickness, I completely stopped exercising. The result? My body became stiff, with pain in my legs, neck, and even my toes. Everything hurt due to the lack of movement. This experience reinforced an important lesson: our bodies are designed to move, and they rebel when we don't use them.
The Challenge of Getting Back on Track
As I began my recovery, I decided to document my journey back to fitness through a short 20-minute workout. Despite still feeling the effects of illness—headache, congestion, and general fatigue—I knew that getting my body moving again was essential for my recovery.
The contrast was stark. Just two days earlier, I couldn't have managed even five minutes of jogging. Now, I was pushing through, feeling my energy slowly returning with each step.
The Truth About Weight Management
One truth became abundantly clear during this experience: “It is very hard to lose weight but very easy to gain it.” This simple reality is something many of us know but often forget in our daily lives.
The key to successful weight management lies in control—controlling your body, your mouth, and your cravings. When you feel like indulging in unhealthy foods, you must be able to say no and choose exercise instead. It's about forcing your body to move, even when it's difficult.
Starting Small for Big Results
You don't need to be a fitness professional to benefit from exercise. As I reminded myself during my workout, we don't need to lift 100 pounds right away. Starting with just 5 or 10 pounds is perfectly fine. Progress happens little by little, and consistency is far more important than intensity.
My Treadmill Routine
During my recovery workout, I used my treadmill at a moderate setting. The machine tracks time, calories burned, number of steps, distance, incline, and speed settings.
I've learned that different speed settings serve different purposes:
- Settings 2-3: Walking pace
- Settings 5-7: Jogging pace
- Settings 10-12: Running pace
Before my illness, I could handle settings up to 9, but now I'm rebuilding my stamina at level 7. The highest setting of 12 is something I'll work toward as I continue to improve my fitness and reduce my weight.
The Reward of Perseverance
By the end of my short workout, I had burned nearly 200 calories and could feel my energy levels rising. The satisfaction of pushing through despite not feeling 100% reminded me why exercise is so vital to overall health.
This experience reinforced that our health truly is our wealth. When we're in good health, we can pursue our goals and dreams. But when health falters, everything else becomes more difficult.
Final Thoughts
If you're coming back from illness or just starting your fitness journey, remember to be patient with yourself. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. The most important thing is to keep moving forward, one step at a time.
Your body will thank you for it, and before long, you'll be back to your full potential—perhaps even stronger than before.
