The Power of Pushing Through: Recovering from Illness with Exercise
Getting back to exercise after being sick can be a challenging but necessary step in recovery. After several days of illness and inactivity, the body becomes stiff, muscles tighten, and overall energy levels plummet. This is exactly what happened to me recently, and I want to share my experience of returning to fitness after being unwell.
When I neglected exercise during my illness, I quickly noticed the negative effects. Every part of my body felt stiff and painful – from the back of my legs to my neck. Simple stretching became difficult, and even my toes hurt! This was a stark reminder of how quickly the body can lose conditioning when we stop moving.
The Mental Battle of Getting Started Again
The hardest part of returning to exercise isn't always the physical challenge – it's the mental one. Despite still feeling some lingering symptoms – a headache, congestion, and neck pain – I made the decision to push through and get moving again.
What I discovered was that just a short 20-minute workout was enough to start feeling better. The energy began returning, and with each minute of jogging, I could feel my body responding positively to the movement.
Control Is Key to Fitness Success
One important principle I've learned on my fitness journey is the importance of control. It's very easy to gain weight but much harder to lose it. The key difference lies in our ability to control our impulses:
- Control your mouth – resist the temptation of unhealthy foods
- Control your cravings – learn to say no when necessary
- Force your body to move – don't let feelings of laziness win
This control doesn't come naturally – it requires conscious effort and determination. When your body wants to rest, sometimes you need to push it to move. When you crave that shawarma, you need the strength to say “not today.”
Progress Happens Gradually
The beauty of exercise is that you don't need to be a professional to benefit from it. You don't need to lift 100 pounds right away – start with 5 or 10 pounds and build from there. The same applies to cardio exercise like jogging.
Just a couple of days ago, I couldn't sustain jogging for even five minutes without stopping. Today, I'm already seeing improvement. This rapid response is one of the most encouraging aspects of returning to exercise after a break.
Adjusting Intensity to Your Current Ability
When using equipment like a treadmill, it's important to match the intensity to your current fitness level. The speed settings should reflect where you are now, not where you used to be or want to be.
Before my break, I could comfortably use speed settings of 7-9 on the treadmill. Now I need to be more cautious. The highest setting (12) would be dangerous for me at my current fitness level and weight. Knowing your limits while still challenging yourself is crucial for safe progress.
The Reward of Pushing Through
By the end of my workout, despite starting with cold symptoms, I was sweating and feeling significantly better. My energy was returning, and I had burned nearly 200 calories. Most importantly, I had broken through the mental barrier of getting started again.
Good health is the foundation for achieving all other goals in life. When we're not healthy, everything else becomes more difficult or impossible. That's why making time for exercise, even when it's challenging, remains one of the most important investments we can make in ourselves.
Remember that consistency matters more than intensity. A short daily workout will yield better results than occasional intense sessions. Listen to your body, but don't let temporary discomfort stop you from maintaining your health through regular movement.
