The Power of Perseverance: Getting Back to Exercise After Illness
Getting back to exercise after being sick can be challenging, but it's an essential step toward reclaiming your health and wellbeing. This was clearly demonstrated in a recent workout session where determination triumphed over lingering illness.
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my system,” the fitness enthusiast 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 while still experiencing symptoms like headache and congestion, returning to movement proved beneficial. The workout started with light jogging on a treadmill, gradually building endurance that had diminished during the illness.
“Yesterday I cannot sustain this jogging for five minutes. No stop five minutes jogging,” was the reflection on progress made in just one day of returning to exercise. “I feel better today.”
Mind Over Matter
The mental aspect of fitness was emphasized throughout the session: “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 lay your body, control your body.”
This philosophy extends to nutrition as well: “Control your mouth. That's why you feel like it is a shower. You say, no. I will not eat today shower. I will exercise. Just go ahead.”
Start Where You Are
An important reminder for those intimidated by fitness was shared: “We must not be professional as well. We must not lift 100 pounds to 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds. So we cannot lift 10 pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This gradual approach applies to cardio exercise too. The treadmill speed was adjusted based on current fitness level, with acknowledgment that higher speeds would be possible with continued weight loss and conditioning.
The Reward of Persistence
By the end of the session, nearly 200 calories had been burned, and there was a noticeable improvement in energy levels. “My energy level is coming back,” was the triumphant observation as the workout concluded.
The session serves as a powerful reminder that health is precious and sometimes we only realize its value when illness strikes. By committing to regular exercise—even starting with small efforts after being sick—we can rebuild our strength and resilience day by day.
