The Power of Consistency: Getting Back to Exercise After Illness
After several days of feeling sick and neglecting exercise, I've learned a valuable lesson about consistency. Not exercising did me no favors – my body became stiff, stretching became painful, and even the back of my legs, nails, and toes were affected by the lack of movement.
Today marks my return to fitness with a simple 20-minute workout. Though I'm still dealing with some neck pain, headache, and nasal congestion, I'm pushing through because I know movement is essential for recovery.
Mind Over Matter
One truth about fitness becomes clearer with every workout: it's much harder to lose weight than it is to gain it. The key is mental discipline – not letting your body control you, but rather you controlling your body.
This means controlling your mouth, your belly, and your cravings. When you feel like skipping a workout or indulging in unhealthy foods, that's precisely when you need to say no and push yourself to exercise instead.
Start Where You Are
You don't need to be a professional to begin your fitness journey. If you can't lift 100 pounds, start with 10 pounds or even 5 pounds. The important thing is to begin and gradually build your strength and endurance.
Today, I'm testing my endurance on the treadmill. Before my illness, I could run at speed level 7, and previously even up to level 9. The machine goes up to level 12, but at my current weight, anything above level 7 would be too challenging.
This is perfectly fine – we all have different starting points. What matters is consistency and progression at your own pace.
The Importance of Health
When you're in good health, you can achieve your goals. It's only when illness or injury prevents you from doing certain activities that you realize how precious good health truly is.
That's why we need to keep moving, keep exercising, and maintain our fitness routines. Even a short 20-minute workout like today's session can make a significant difference in how you feel and perform.
Moving Forward
After just a short time on the treadmill, I'm already feeling better. The lethargy is fading, my energy is returning, and I've burned nearly 200 calories. This reinforces what we all know but sometimes forget: consistent exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have for maintaining our health and well-being.
No matter where you are in your fitness journey, remember that every step counts. Even after a setback like illness, getting back to your routine is what matters most. Your body will thank you for it.
