Why You Should Never Skip Exercise: My Journey Back to Health

After feeling sick for several days and neglecting my exercise routine, I experienced firsthand how quickly our bodies can become stiff and painful. The lack of movement left me with aching muscles, stiff joints, and overall discomfort. This experience reminded me of an important lesson: consistent exercise isn't optional for maintaining good health—it's essential.

When I finally returned to working out, I could immediately feel the difference. My energy began returning, and though I still had some lingering symptoms—a sore neck, headache, and congestion—I knew getting my body moving again was the right decision.

The Dangers of Inactivity

Just a few days without exercise made my body painfully stiff. I tried stretching my legs, neck, and toes, but everything hurt. This rapid decline in flexibility and comfort shows how quickly our bodies can deteriorate without regular movement.

Taking Back Control

One of the most important aspects of fitness is learning to control your body, not letting it control you. As I often remind myself:

• It's very hard to lose weight but very easy to gain it
• You must force your body to move when it doesn't want to
• Control your mouth and food intake
• Don't let cravings dictate your choices

This mental discipline is just as important as the physical aspect of exercise. When your body says “I'm too tired” or “I don't feel like it,” that's precisely when you need to push through.

Start Small, Stay Consistent

You don't need to be a professional athlete or lift heavy weights to benefit from exercise. Start where you are:

• If you can't lift 100 pounds, start with 10
• If you can't lift 10 pounds, start with 5
• Progress gradually and consistently

On my treadmill, I've had to adjust my expectations. I used to run at speed level 9, but currently I can only manage up to level 7. The maximum is 12, but I know if I tried running at level 10 right now, I would likely fall because of my current condition and weight. This isn't failure—it's knowing your limits while still challenging yourself.

The Joy of Recovery

There's something incredibly satisfying about feeling your energy return after a period of illness or inactivity. As I jogged, I could feel my body responding, my energy levels rising, and my mood improving. By the end of my short workout, I had burned nearly 200 calories and felt significantly better than when I started.

Your health is your foundation. When you're in good health, you can achieve almost anything. It's only when illness or poor fitness holds you back that goals become unattainable. That's why consistent exercise, in whatever form works for you, should be non-negotiable in your routine.

Remember, fitness isn't about perfection—it's about persistence. Even a 20-minute workout can make a tremendous difference in how you feel, especially when recovering from illness or a period of inactivity.