Why Exercise is Crucial When Recovering from Illness: A Personal Journey
After several days of feeling sick, I learned a powerful lesson about the importance of maintaining physical activity. Despite illness, I found that completely stopping exercise only made my recovery more difficult and painful.
During my short break from working out, my body quickly became stiff and uncomfortable. Stretching became painful – even in my legs, back, and toes. This experience reinforced what many fitness experts have long emphasized: maintaining some level of physical activity, even during illness (when appropriate), can be beneficial for recovery.
The Difficulty of Exercise vs. Weight Management
One truth that became apparent during this experience is the imbalance between effort and results when it comes to fitness. As I noted during my workout, “It is very hard to exercise, but very easy to gain weight. Very hard to lose weight, but very easy to gain weight.”
This reality is something many people struggle with on their fitness journey. Weight gain can happen quickly with little effort, while weight loss requires consistent work and dedication.
The Mental Challenge of Exercise
Beyond the physical aspects, I was reminded that exercise is largely a mental game. The key is learning to control your body rather than letting your body control you. This means:
- Controlling your eating habits
- Forcing your body to move even when it doesn't want to
- Pushing through initial discomfort
- Being consistent with workouts
When you feel like skipping a workout or indulging in unhealthy foods, that's precisely when you need to exert mental control. As I reminded myself during the workout, “Control your mouth. Control your belly. Force your body to move.”
Starting Small and Building Gradually
During my recovery workout, I acknowledged that we don't need to be fitness professionals to benefit from exercise. Starting small is perfectly acceptable and often necessary:
“We must not be professionals… Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. If you cannot lift 10 pounds, just little by little. We are going to be fine.”
This approach applies to cardio as well. I noted that while I once could sustain higher treadmill speeds (levels 9-10), I currently work with level 7 due to my fitness level and weight. The key is to work within your current capabilities while gradually pushing your limits.
The Rewards of Consistency
By the end of my 20-minute workout, I was already feeling the benefits of getting back to exercise. Despite still dealing with some symptoms, my energy was returning, and I was able to sustain jogging longer than expected.
The workout burned nearly 200 calories, but more importantly, it served as a reminder that our bodies are designed to move. Even when recovering from illness, appropriate movement can be therapeutic and energizing.
Final Thoughts
Your health truly is your wealth. Without good health, achieving other goals becomes significantly more difficult. Regular exercise is a crucial component of maintaining that health, even if it means starting small and building gradually.
Remember that consistency matters more than intensity. A regular, moderate workout routine will yield better results than occasional extreme sessions. Listen to your body, but don't be afraid to push it when needed.
