The Struggle and Triumph of Getting Back to Exercise After Illness
Getting back to exercise after being sick can be one of the most challenging mental and physical hurdles to overcome. After several days of illness, the body becomes stiff, energy levels plummet, and motivation often follows suit. This is exactly what happened to me recently.
After feeling sick for several days and neglecting my exercise routine, my body responded with stiffness and pain. Even basic stretching became difficult – the back of my legs, my neck, and even my toes were painful. This was a stark reminder of how quickly our bodies can deteriorate when we stop moving.
The Importance of Pushing Through
One truth about fitness remains constant: it's very hard to exercise but very easy to gain weight. Losing weight is a challenge, while gaining it happens almost effortlessly. The key is to take control rather than letting your body dictate your choices.
This means:
- Controlling your mouth and food choices
- Not letting cravings determine your actions
- Forcing your body to move even when it doesn't want to
It's about developing discipline and understanding that sometimes you need to push through discomfort to achieve results.
Starting Small After Illness
When returning to exercise after being sick, it's important to ease back in. You don't need to lift 100 pounds immediately – start with 5 or 10 pounds. You don't need to run at maximum speed on the treadmill.
My treadmill has different speed settings from 1-12, with 12 being the highest. Before my illness, I could handle speeds up to 9, and regularly used 7. Now, I'm starting more conservatively, knowing that my current weight and condition means that attempting speed 10 would be dangerous.
The Reward of Persistence
Even after a short workout, the benefits were immediate. My energy started returning, the cold feeling subsided, and I began to sweat – a sign my body was waking up and responding to the movement. By the end of the session, I had burned nearly 200 calories.
Most importantly, my mindset shifted from focusing on illness to celebrating recovery: “No more lying down! No more sickness! No more headache!”
Remember This About Health
Your health is your foundation. When you're in good health, you can achieve your goals. It's only when illness or poor health stands in your way that you realize how critical wellness is to everything else in life.
This is why consistent exercise matters. It doesn't have to be professional-level training – just consistent movement that challenges your body appropriately.
Little by little, day by day, we build the health that supports everything else we want to accomplish.
