The Power of Perseverance: Returning to Exercise After Illness
Getting back to exercise after being sick can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences. When your body feels weak and your energy is depleted, the last thing you want to do is push yourself physically. Yet, as many fitness enthusiasts know, this is precisely when movement becomes most crucial.
After several days of illness and inactivity, the body quickly responds with stiffness, discomfort, and a general feeling of lethargy. One workout warrior discovered this truth firsthand: “I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my sister. That did not help me at all. Not exercising did not help me, but made my body to be stiff.”
The Consequences of Inactivity
The physical consequences of even a short break from regular exercise can be surprising. Many people report increased pain and decreased mobility: “I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my nails, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”
This experience underscores an important truth about fitness—consistency matters. Even when dealing with illness, gentle movement (when appropriate and safe) can help maintain mobility and prevent the body from becoming too stiff or uncomfortable.
Mind Over Matter
Returning to exercise is largely a mental game. The body wants to remain comfortable, but growth happens outside the comfort zone: “You need to push your body. You force it. Not letting your body control you. Control your body.”
This principle extends beyond exercise to nutrition as well: “Control your mouth. That's why you feel like it is Shawarma. You say, no. I will exercise. Just go ahead. Control your mouth. Control your belly.”
Gradual Progress Is Key
When returning to fitness after a break, it's important to acknowledge your current capabilities rather than comparing to your previous peak performance. As one exerciser noted about their treadmill routine: “I use a boot up to seven. Before, I used a boot up to nine. But now, I can do up to seven, but not ten, not eleven, not twelve.”
The wisdom here is clear—start where you are, not where you think you should be: “You must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. If you cannot lift 10 pounds, just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
Celebrating Small Victories
Recovery is a process, and recognizing improvement helps maintain motivation: “Yesterday I could not sustain this jogging for five minutes. Today I can go. I feel better today.”
These small improvements—being able to jog a bit longer, feeling more energetic, seeing the calorie counter climb—all serve as encouragement that the body is healing and strengthening: “My energy level is coming back. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it.”
The Connection Between Health and Achievement
Perhaps the most profound realization is how fundamentally our physical health affects every other aspect of our lives: “Your health is what? When you are in good health, you can achieve. It's only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals.”
This understanding transforms exercise from a vanity pursuit to a foundational element of a successful life. Movement becomes not just about looking good, but about creating the physical capacity to pursue our dreams and goals.
Getting Started Again
If you're coming back to exercise after illness or a long break, remember these key principles:
- Start slowly and build gradually
- Listen to your body, but don't let temporary discomfort stop you
- Celebrate small improvements
- Be consistent, even if workouts are shorter or less intense
- Remember that any movement is better than no movement
The journey back to fitness isn't always linear, but with persistence and patience, you'll find yourself rebuilding strength, stamina, and health day by day.
