Why Consistency Matters: Getting Back to Exercise After Illness
Getting back to exercise after being sick can be challenging, but it's often exactly what your body needs. After several days of illness and inactivity, many people experience stiffness, pain, and a general feeling of malaise that exercise can help alleviate.
One fitness enthusiast recently shared their experience of returning to exercise after feeling sick for several days. They noticed that the lack of movement had caused their body to become stiff and uncomfortable, with pain in their legs, back, and even their toes. This physical discomfort was a powerful reminder of how quickly our bodies can lose conditioning when we stop moving.
The Challenges of Returning to Exercise
Despite still experiencing some symptoms like headache and congestion, they pushed through a 20-minute workout to get their body moving again. This determination highlights an important fitness principle: sometimes we need to take control of our bodies rather than letting discomfort dictate our actions.
“It is very hard to exercise. But very easy to gain weight. Very hard to lose weight. Very easy to get weight,” they observed during their workout. This honest assessment reflects what many fitness professionals emphasize – consistency is key, and maintaining fitness is often easier than regaining it after a break.
Starting Small for Big Results
The workout focused on light jogging on a treadmill – nothing extreme, but enough to get the heart rate up and begin rebuilding stamina. After just a few minutes of movement, they were already feeling better, noting that they couldn't have sustained even five minutes of jogging the previous day.
This gradual improvement demonstrates how quickly our bodies can respond to positive stimulus. As they mentioned during their workout: “We must not lift 100 pounds to 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds. So we cannot lift 10 pounds. Just little by little, we are going to be fine.”
Monitoring Progress
Using a treadmill with various metrics helped track the workout intensity, including calories burned, steps taken, incline, and speed. This type of monitoring can be especially helpful when easing back into fitness after illness, as it allows for careful progression without overexertion.
The workout session burned nearly 200 calories – a modest but meaningful accomplishment for someone recovering from illness. More importantly, the increased circulation and endorphin release helped improve their overall feeling of wellbeing.
The Mental Benefits of Movement
Beyond the physical benefits, the workout seemed to provide significant mental and emotional relief. The repetition of phrases like “No more lying down. No more sickness. No more headache” suggests a determination to overcome illness through movement.
By the end of the session, the initial sluggishness had transformed into energy and a sense of accomplishment. Sweating – a sign that the body's systems were fully engaging – replaced the feeling of being cold and lethargic.
The Takeaway
If you're recovering from illness or have fallen out of your exercise routine, remember these key points:
- Start small and build gradually
- Listen to your body but don't let minor discomfort stop you completely
- Consistency matters more than intensity
- Track your progress to stay motivated
- Acknowledge the mental benefits alongside the physical ones
Getting back to exercise after being sick doesn't require heroic efforts – just the willingness to move your body in whatever way feels manageable. As our fitness enthusiast discovered, even a brief workout can jumpstart recovery and remind us of how good it feels to be active again.
