Why You Need to Keep Moving Even When You Don't Feel Like It
After being sick for several days without exercising, I quickly learned an important lesson: lack of movement makes everything worse. My body became stiff, stretching became painful, and even the back of my legs, nails, and toes hurt. This experience reinforced what fitness experts have been saying all along – consistent exercise is crucial for maintaining not just physical health but overall wellbeing.
When we stop moving, our bodies rebel. Despite feeling under the weather with a headache and congestion, I forced myself to get back to exercising. The difference was immediate and significant. Though I couldn't sustain even five minutes of jogging the previous day, my energy levels noticeably improved after getting back into my workout routine.
Control Your Body, Don't Let It Control You
One of the most challenging aspects of fitness is maintaining discipline. It's remarkably easy to gain weight but much harder to lose it. The key is learning to control your body rather than letting it control you. This means:
- Controlling your mouth and food cravings
- Not giving in when you feel like skipping workouts
- Forcing your body to move even when it resists
This isn't about punishment – it's about understanding that our bodies need movement to function optimally. When we remain sedentary, everything from our mood to our physical capabilities deteriorates.
Start Where You Are
You don't need to be a fitness professional to benefit from exercise. You don't need to lift 100 pounds – starting with just 5 or 10 pounds is perfectly fine. The important thing is to begin somewhere and maintain consistency.
For cardio exercises like jogging, start at a comfortable speed. Modern treadmills offer various settings from speed levels 1-12, with 12 being the highest. When I was in better shape, I could manage speeds of 7-9, but currently, I stay around 5-7. As I continue to improve and lose weight, I'll gradually work my way back up to higher speeds.
The Immediate Benefits
Even in a short 20-minute workout session, the benefits are tangible. Within that timeframe, I was able to burn nearly 200 calories, but more importantly, I could feel my energy returning. The cold feeling that had persisted during my illness began to dissipate as I started sweating – a sign that my body was waking up and responding to the movement.
Our health truly is our wealth. When we're in good health, we can pursue our goals and dreams. It's only when illness or poor physical condition holds us back that we realize how precious good health is.
So even when you don't feel like it – especially when you don't feel like it – find ways to keep moving. Your body will thank you, and you'll be taking crucial steps toward maintaining the health foundation that supports everything else in your life.
