Why Consistency in Exercise is Crucial for Recovery and Health
Have you ever noticed how quickly your body stiffens up when you stop exercising? One fitness enthusiast recently discovered this the hard way after taking a few days off due to illness.
“I have been feeling sick for some days and I did not exercise,” she shared during a workout livestream. “That did not help me at all. Not exercising did not help me, but 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.”
The Importance of Getting Back on Track
Despite still feeling under the weather with a headache and congestion, she made the decision to push through and restart her fitness routine. This determination highlights an important aspect of fitness: consistency matters, especially when recovering from illness or injury.
“No more lying down! No more sickness! No more headache!” she exclaimed as she jogged on her treadmill. “Your health is what? When you are in good health, you can achieve your goals. That is why we need to run! We need to exercise!”
Start Where You Are
One of the most encouraging messages from her workout session was the reminder that fitness doesn't require perfection. You don't need to be a professional athlete to benefit from regular movement.
“We must not be professional. We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, five pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
Adjusting Your Intensity Level
The workout featured use of a treadmill with adjustable speeds up to level 12. She noted that when she's in better shape, she can run at higher speeds (level 7-9), but currently needs to stay at a more moderate pace.
“Five is speed learning. It has up to 12. When I lose weight, I start running at 10. If I put it on 10 now, I will fall because of my weight. But I used to put up to seven, I used to put up to nine before.”
Mind Over Matter
Perhaps the most valuable takeaway was her philosophy on self-discipline:
“It is very hard to lose weight. Very easy to gain weight. All you need to do is to push your body. Not letting your body control you. Control your body. Control your mouth. Control your belly. Force your body to move. Force it. It's not easy, but you can do it.”
Benefits of Consistent Exercise
By the end of her workout session, she had burned nearly 200 calories and was feeling better despite having been sick just days before. This demonstrates how exercise can help:
- Increase energy levels even during recovery
- Prevent muscle stiffness and pain
- Maintain fitness progress
- Improve mental outlook and determination
The next time you're tempted to take an extended break from exercise, remember that even short, moderate workouts can help maintain the progress you've made and prevent the discomfort that comes with inactivity.
