The Journey Back to Fitness After Illness: Why Exercise Consistency Matters
Returning to exercise after being sick can be challenging, but the consequences of extended inactivity are often worse than pushing through discomfort. One fitness enthusiast recently learned this lesson firsthand, sharing how several days without exercise due to illness left their body stiff and painful.
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and it did not do any good for my system,” they explained. “Not exercising did not help me, but made my body stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my ankles, my toes – everything pained me because of lack of exercise.”
The Difficulty of Returning to Exercise
After several days of inactivity, even a simple 20-minute workout became challenging. Despite still experiencing some symptoms like headache and congestion, the decision to move again proved beneficial, with energy levels noticeably improving after just one session.
This experience highlights an important truth about fitness: “It is very hard to exercise, but very easy to gain weight. Very hard to lose weight, very easy to get weight.”
Mental Discipline: The Key to Consistency
The foundation of consistent exercise isn't necessarily physical ability but mental discipline. As our fitness enthusiast put it: “All you need to do is push your body. Force it. Don't let your body control you – you control your body. Control your mouth.”
This mental approach extends to dietary choices as well: “When you feel like eating shawarma, you say, ‘No, I will not eat shawarma today. I will exercise.' Just go ahead, control your mouth. Control your belly.”
Starting Small with Progressive Goals
For those intimidated by fitness, remember that starting small is perfectly acceptable. “We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. If we cannot lift 10 pounds, just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
The same principle applies to cardio exercise. Rather than immediately attempting high-intensity workouts, begin with manageable speeds and intensities. As fitness improves, gradually increase the challenge.
The Connection Between Health and Achievement
Perhaps most importantly, maintaining physical health enables achievement in all other areas of life. “When you are in good health, you can achieve. It's only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals.”
This perspective reminds us that exercise isn't just about aesthetics or even physical health – it's about creating the foundation that allows us to pursue our broader life goals with energy and capability.
Whether returning after illness or starting a fitness journey for the first time, consistency and gradual progression remain the most reliable path to success.
