Why You Need to Force Your Body to Move Even When You're Not Feeling Well
After feeling sick for several days and avoiding exercise, I learned a valuable lesson about the importance of staying active. The lack of movement made my body stiff, caused pain in my legs, back, and even my toes. This experience reinforced something I've always known but sometimes forget: our bodies need consistent movement to function properly.
When we stop exercising, even for a short period, our bodies quickly begin to feel the effects. Muscles tighten, joints stiffen, and overall discomfort increases. This is why I decided to push through my symptoms and get back to my workout routine.
Taking Control of Your Body
One of the most important aspects of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is learning to control your body rather than letting it control you. This applies to both exercise and nutrition:
- Control your mouth and what you eat
- Control your cravings
- Force your body to move, even when it's difficult
It's very hard to lose weight but incredibly easy to gain it. The key difference is in how much control you exert over your habits and choices. When you feel like skipping a workout or indulging in unhealthy food, that's precisely when you need to assert control.
Starting Small is Better Than Not Starting
You don't need to be a professional athlete or lift hundreds of pounds to benefit from exercise. Starting with what you can manage—whether that's a five-minute jog, lifting 5-pound weights, or simple stretches—is infinitely better than doing nothing.
I noticed that after just a couple days without exercise, my endurance decreased significantly. Where I could previously sustain jogging for longer periods, I struggled to maintain even five minutes of continuous movement when getting back into it.
Listen to Your Body While Challenging It
While pushing yourself is important, it's equally important to work within your current capabilities. For example, I've learned to adjust the speed settings on my treadmill based on my fitness level and weight:
- I currently use speeds 5-7 for a challenging but manageable workout
- I previously could handle up to speed 9
- I'll work my way up to speed 10 as I lose weight
- The maximum setting (12) requires significant fitness and a lighter body weight
This approach allows me to challenge myself appropriately without risking injury or burnout.
The Quick Reward of Movement
One of the most immediate benefits of exercise is how quickly it can change your physical state. I started my workout feeling cold and sluggish from being sick, but within minutes I was sweating and feeling my energy levels rise.
This transformation is available to anyone willing to push through the initial discomfort. Your health is your greatest asset—when you're in good health, you can achieve your goals, but when you're not, even simple tasks become challenging.
Remember that consistency is key. Even a short 20-minute workout can make a significant difference in how you feel and function. Don't let temporary discomfort keep you from the lasting benefits of regular exercise.
