Why Consistency Matters: Getting Back to Exercise After Illness

Taking a break from your regular exercise routine due to illness can quickly lead to unwanted consequences. As one fitness enthusiast recently discovered, even a short period of inactivity left her body feeling stiff and uncomfortable.

“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and I did not do any good for my system,” she explained. “That did not help me at all. Not exercising did not help me, but made my body to be stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my knees, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”

The Struggle Is Real

Many of us can relate to how challenging it can be to maintain fitness consistency, especially after taking time off. As our fitness enthusiast put it so perfectly: “It is very hard to exercise but very easy to gain weight. Very hard to lose weight. Very easy to get weight.”

This honest assessment captures what many fitness journeys look like – a constant battle that requires discipline and determination.

Mind Over Matter

The key to success? Mental fortitude and self-control.

“All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Don't let your body control you. Control your body. Control your mouth. When you feel like eating something unhealthy, you say no. I will not eat this today. I will exercise instead. Just go ahead.”

This approach emphasizes that fitness isn't just about physical capability – it's about mental discipline.

Starting Small

For those intimidated by fitness, remember that everyone starts somewhere. You don't need to be a professional or lift extreme weights to make progress.

“We must not lift 100 pounds to be healthy. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. Little by little we are going to be fine.”

This progressive approach allows your body to adapt gradually while building confidence.

Adjusting to Your Fitness Level

When using equipment like treadmills, it's important to work within your current abilities. Our fitness enthusiast noted that she adjusts her treadmill speed based on her current fitness level:

“If I put it on 10, I will fall, because of my weight. But I used to put 7, I used to put up to 7, before I used to put up to 9.”

This self-awareness helps prevent injury while still challenging the body appropriately.

The Reward of Consistency

The most encouraging part of returning to exercise is how quickly your body begins to respond. Despite feeling ill just the day before, our fitness enthusiast noticed immediate improvements after restarting her routine:

“I'm doing fine today, better than yesterday! Because the energy is coming back! No more lying down! I got up and I shook my body! No more lying down, no more sickness, no more headache!”

This rapid response from the body serves as powerful motivation to maintain consistency.

Your Health Is Your Wealth

Perhaps the most important reminder is how foundational health is to everything else we hope to accomplish:

“Your health is your wealth. When you are in good health, you can achieve it all! It's only when you are unwell that you cannot achieve your goals!”

This perspective helps prioritize fitness not as a luxury but as a necessity for living your best life.

Whether you're coming back from illness or just struggling with motivation, remember that consistency matters more than perfection. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can. Your body will thank you.