The Power of Consistency: Recovering from Sickness with Exercise
We've all been there – feeling under the weather, skipping workouts, and then experiencing that stiffness and discomfort that comes from inactivity. One fitness enthusiast recently learned this lesson the hard way.
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised, and it did not do any good for my system,” they shared during a live workout session. “Not exercising did not help me at all. It made my body stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my nails, my toes – everything pained me because of lack of exercise.”
Fighting Through Discomfort
Despite still dealing with symptoms – “I still feel [pain in my] neck, my head is aching, my nose is growing” – they made the decision to get moving again with a short 20-minute workout. This demonstrates an important principle in fitness: consistency matters, even when you don't feel your best.
Sometimes, appropriate light exercise can actually help you recover faster from certain illnesses by improving circulation and boosting your immune system. Of course, you should always use good judgment and consult healthcare professionals when needed.
Mind Over Matter
One of the most powerful insights shared during this workout was about mental discipline:
“You need to push your body. You force it. Not letting your body control you. Control your body. Control your mouth. When you feel like eating unhealthy food, you say no. Control your belly. Force your body to move. Force it. It's not easy, but you are going to force it.”
Start Where You Are
Another valuable reminder was that fitness isn't about perfection or comparing yourself to professionals:
“We must not be professional. 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.”
This gradual approach applies to cardio as well. The individual mentioned using different speed settings on their treadmill based on their current fitness level: “When I lose weight, I'll start running at 10. Because of my weight, if I put it at 10 now, I will fall. I used to put it up to seven, but not 10, not 11, not 12.”
The Reward of Persistence
By the end of the workout, there was a noticeable improvement: “I was cold before, but now I'm sweating. My energy level is coming back.”
This transformation – from feeling sick and stiff to moving, sweating, and regaining energy – highlights how quickly our bodies can respond to movement, even after a period of illness.
Key Takeaways
- Don't let extended inactivity compound the effects of illness
- Start with gentle movement when recovering
- Exercise mental discipline to overcome resistance
- Begin at your current level, not where you think you should be
- Consistency trumps intensity, especially when rebuilding
Remember that health is foundational to achieving all your other goals. As the workout wrapped up with nearly 200 calories burned, it served as a testament to what we can accomplish when we push through discomfort and commit to caring for our bodies, even when it's not easy.
