The Journey Back to Fitness After Sickness: Why Daily Exercise Matters
Getting back into exercise after being sick can be challenging, but it's essential for restoring energy and maintaining overall health. After several days of feeling unwell and avoiding physical activity, one fitness enthusiast discovered just how quickly the body can become stiff and uncomfortable.
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my system,” they shared. “Not exercising did not help me, but made my body to be stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my nails, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”
The Importance of Pushing Through
Even when not feeling 100%, finding the motivation to move your body can make a significant difference in recovery. Starting with just 20 minutes of light exercise can help bring energy levels back and reduce physical discomfort.
“It is very hard to lose weight but very easy to gain weight,” notes our fitness enthusiast. “All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Not letting your body control you—you control your body. Control your mouth.”
Small Steps to Recovery
The journey back to fitness doesn't require professional-level workouts. As emphasized during the workout, “We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This gradual approach applies to cardio exercise as well. During recovery, it's important to monitor your endurance and adjust workout intensity accordingly. Our fitness enthusiast noted their progress from the previous day, celebrating their ability to sustain a longer jogging session as their health improved.
Using Equipment Wisely
When using exercise equipment like a treadmill, it's important to select appropriate settings based on your current fitness level. Speed settings should match your ability—starting lower when recovering or carrying extra weight, and increasing gradually as fitness improves.
“When I lose weight, I'll start running 10. Because that way you have to pop up. If I put it now, I will fall,” they shared, noting that they once could handle higher speeds but currently needed to moderate their intensity.
The Value of Consistency
Even a short workout can provide significant benefits, especially when trying to regain fitness after illness. Tracking metrics like calories burned can provide motivation and a sense of accomplishment.
The message is clear: your health is fundamental to achieving your goals. When you're in good health, possibilities open up. When illness or poor fitness prevents you from doing certain activities, it becomes harder to reach your objectives.
By committing to regular exercise—even when it's challenging—you're investing in your ability to pursue everything else that matters in life. And as our fitness enthusiast demonstrated, sometimes the hardest workout is the one that gets you back on track after being sidelined by illness.
