The Journey Back to Fitness: Overcoming Sickness Through Exercise

Getting back into exercise after being sick can be challenging. The body becomes stiff, muscles ache, and energy levels plummet. This is exactly what happened to me after several days of illness that left me feeling weak and in pain.

After not exercising for some time, I noticed significant changes in my body. My legs, back, and even my toes were painful due to the lack of movement. This was a stark reminder that our bodies are designed to move, and when we don't use them, they protest loudly.

Taking Control of Your Body

One of the most important lessons in fitness is that you must control your body, not let it control you. This applies to exercise and nutrition alike:

• It's very hard to lose weight but very easy to gain it
• You must push your body and force it to move
• Control your mouth and your food intake
• When you feel like skipping a workout, that's precisely when you need to push through

This mindset of control is what helps us overcome the natural resistance to exercise and make progress toward our fitness goals.

Starting Small After Illness

My return to fitness wasn't dramatic. I started with light jogging on a treadmill, monitoring my progress carefully. Just days before, I couldn't sustain even five minutes of jogging without stopping. The worst day was two days prior when my body was at its weakest.

But with each passing day, I could feel my energy returning. This gradual improvement is something we all experience when recovering from illness or starting a new fitness journey.

The Importance of Consistency

We don't need to be professional athletes or lift heavy weights to benefit from exercise. Starting with what you can manage is the key:

• If you can't lift 100 pounds, start with 10 pounds or even 5 pounds
• Gradually increase intensity as your body adapts
• Listen to your body but don't let it dictate your limits

Your health is fundamental to achieving your goals. When you're in good health, you can pursue your ambitions, but when your health suffers, everything else becomes more difficult.

Using Equipment Effectively

A good treadmill or similar equipment can help track your progress. The one I use monitors:

• Time spent exercising
• Calories burned
• Number of steps
• Incline level
• Speed settings

For beginners or those recovering from illness, lower speeds (2-3) are appropriate. As fitness improves, you can gradually increase to 5-7. The highest settings (10-12) are for those with excellent fitness levels.

Weight is a factor in how fast you can safely go. At higher weights, extreme speeds can increase injury risk. As you lose weight, you'll be able to handle higher speeds safely.

The Reward of Perseverance

By the end of my short workout, I had burned nearly 200 calories and could feel my energy returning. The satisfaction of pushing through despite not feeling 100% was immense.

Remember that fitness is a journey, not a destination. Each time you overcome resistance and exercise despite not feeling like it, you're building not just physical strength but mental resilience too.

Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. Your body will thank you for it, and you'll be amazed at how quickly you can bounce back from setbacks when you maintain a consistent approach to fitness.