Why You Should Never Stop Exercising: A Personal Recovery Story
After several days of feeling sick and not exercising, I quickly discovered how detrimental lack of movement can be for the body. Despite battling a headache, congestion, and overall discomfort, I made the decision to get back to my workout routine rather than allowing my illness to keep me sedentary any longer.
The results were immediate. What started as a brief 20-minute exercise session to reawaken my body turned into a powerful reminder of how important consistent physical activity truly is. When I skipped my workouts during my illness, my body became stiff and painful. Even basic stretching became uncomfortable—the back of my legs, my calves, and even my toes were in pain simply due to lack of movement.
Taking Control of Your Body
One of the most important lessons in fitness is learning that you must control your body—not the other way around. It's very easy to gain weight but much harder to lose it. The key is to push yourself beyond what feels comfortable. When your body wants to rest, sometimes you need to force it to move. When cravings hit, you must control your mouth and make better choices.
This level of self-discipline isn't easy, but it's necessary. By taking control of your eating habits and committing to regular exercise, you establish dominance over your physical self rather than allowing momentary discomfort to dictate your health outcomes.
Start Small and Build Gradually
You don't need to be a fitness professional to benefit from exercise. Starting small is perfectly acceptable—and often advisable. If you can't lift 100 pounds, start with 10 pounds or even 5 pounds. The important thing is to begin somewhere and gradually build your strength and endurance.
During my recovery workout, I used a treadmill with various settings. While I used to run at speed level 7 or even 9, I had to adjust my expectations after being sick. The machine goes up to speed level 12, but attempting that would have been dangerous given my current condition. Understanding your limitations while still challenging yourself is the sweet spot for effective exercise.
The Value of Good Health
When you're healthy, almost anything seems achievable. It's only when health problems arise that we truly appreciate how fundamental our physical wellbeing is to accomplishing our goals. This recent illness served as a powerful reminder that maintaining regular exercise isn't just about aesthetics—it's about preserving the foundation that allows us to pursue everything else in life.
Even after just a short workout, I could feel my energy returning. The calories burned (approaching 200 during this session) were less important than the revitalization I felt throughout my body. My symptoms began to subside as blood flow increased and my systems reactivated.
Consistency Is Key
The most important takeaway from this experience is that consistency matters more than intensity. Missing several days of exercise led to noticeable regression in how my body felt and performed. Rather than waiting until I felt 100% better, getting back to movement—even at a reduced capacity—helped accelerate my recovery.
Whether you're recovering from illness, beginning a fitness journey, or maintaining an established routine, remember that regular movement is essential. Your body is designed to be active, and it will remind you quite painfully when you neglect this fundamental need.
