The Power of Consistency: How to Keep Exercising Even When You Feel Sick

We've all been there – feeling under the weather, lacking energy, and wanting nothing more than to stay in bed. But as many fitness enthusiasts discover, taking extended breaks from exercise can leave your body feeling stiff, achy, and worse than before.

After feeling sick for several days and avoiding exercise, one fitness enthusiast learned this lesson the hard way. “I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my system. That did not help me at all. Not exercising did not help me, but made my body to be stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my knees, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”

Push Through the Discomfort

Getting back into exercise after a break requires mental fortitude. When you're feeling under the weather with a headache or congestion, the last thing you want to do is work out. However, gentle movement can often help restore energy and improve symptoms.

“It is very hard to dress as nice, but very easy to get weight. Very hard to lose weight. Very easy to get weight. All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Not letting your body control you. Control your body.”

Start Small, Build Gradually

One of the most important principles of fitness is progressive overload, but this applies to getting back into exercise as well. You don't need to jump right back into your previous routine.

“We must not be professional as well! We must not lift 100 pounds! 200 pounds! Just start by lifting 10 pounds! 5 pounds! Little by little, we are going to be fine!”

Listen to Your Body's Limits

Understanding your current fitness level is crucial. Push yourself, but recognize your limitations to prevent injury and maintain consistency.

“When I lose weight, I'll start running at speed 10 because that way you have to pop pop pop. If I put it now, I will fall. If I put 10, I will fall. Because of my weight. But I used to put seven, I used to put up to seven. Before, I used to put up to nine.”

The Benefits of Consistency

After just one session of light exercise, many people report feeling significantly better. The endorphins released during exercise can help improve mood, reduce pain perception, and boost energy levels.

“I'm doing fine today! Because the energy is coming back! No more lying down! I got up! I shake my body! No more lying down, no more sickness, no more headache!”

Health Is Wealth

Perhaps the most important takeaway is that good health enables everything else in life. Without it, achieving other goals becomes much more difficult.

“Your health is what? When you are in good health, you can achieve all! It's only when you are not in good health that you cannot achieve your goals! That is why we need to run, we need to exercise! Anyhow, we can!”

Conclusion

While it's important to rest when truly ill, maintaining some level of movement during minor illnesses or when recovering can help prevent the stiffness and discomfort that comes from extended inactivity. Listen to your body, start small, and gradually build back up to your regular routine. Your body will thank you for the consistency, and you'll find yourself bouncing back faster from minor setbacks.