Why You Should Never Skip Exercise – Even When You're Sick
Taking a break from your fitness routine when you're feeling under the weather might seem like the logical choice, but as I recently discovered, this decision can have unexpected consequences for your body.
After feeling sick for several days and skipping my regular workouts, I noticed something alarming – my body became stiff and uncomfortable. Even basic stretching became painful, with discomfort radiating through my legs, back, and even my toes. The lack of movement had made everything tense and rigid.
The Consequences of Inactivity
When illness strikes, our first instinct is often to rest completely. While rest is certainly important for recovery, complete inactivity can lead to:
- Muscle stiffness and soreness
- Decreased flexibility
- Increased pain during normal movements
- Slower recovery overall
This experience reminded me of an important fitness truth: it's much harder to get back into shape than it is to maintain your current fitness level. As the saying goes, it's “very hard to lose weight, but very easy to gain weight.”
Taking Control of Your Fitness
The key to maintaining fitness, especially during challenging times, is mental discipline. You need to control your body rather than letting it control you. This applies to both exercise and nutrition:
- Control your mouth – when cravings strike for unhealthy food, learn to say no
- Control your body – push yourself to move even when you don't feel like it
- Start small – you don't need to lift heavy weights or run marathons to stay active
Even a short, gentle workout can make a significant difference in how you feel and help maintain your fitness level during periods of illness or low energy.
Building Back Gradually
After my period of inactivity, I'm focusing on gradually rebuilding my stamina. Today I managed some light jogging – something that would have been impossible just two days ago at the height of my illness.
The important thing to remember is that fitness isn't about perfection. You don't need to lift 100 pounds or run at maximum speed. Starting with whatever you can manage – even if it's just 5 or 10 pounds or a slow walk – is perfectly fine.
Listen To Your Body, But Challenge It Too
While it's important to rest when truly necessary, don't use minor illnesses or fatigue as an excuse to abandon fitness completely. Your health is your greatest asset – without it, achieving other goals becomes much more difficult.
A moderate approach that includes gentle movement, even during periods of illness, can help maintain your fitness base and make returning to your regular routine much easier when you're feeling better.
Remember: consistency beats intensity when it comes to long-term fitness success. Keep moving, even if it's just a little bit, and your body will thank you.
