Why You Should Never Stop Exercising: A Personal Recovery Story

We've all been there – feeling under the weather and using it as an excuse to skip our workout routine. But as one fitness enthusiast recently discovered, taking extended breaks from exercise can leave your body feeling worse, not better.

“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and it did not do any good for my system,” the individual shares. “Not exercising did not help me at all. Instead, it made my body stiff.”

The Consequences of Inactivity

The physical effects of suddenly stopping exercise were immediate and uncomfortable: stiffness in the legs, pain in the neck, headaches, and overall discomfort. Even basic stretching became painful – a clear sign that the body was protesting the lack of movement.

This experience highlights an important fitness principle: consistency matters. Even during periods of illness, gentle movement (when appropriate) can help maintain mobility and prevent the regression of fitness gains.

Pushing Through Challenges

The road back to fitness isn't always easy. As our fitness enthusiast noted while returning to a treadmill workout: “It is very hard to exercise, but very easy to gain weight. Very hard to lose weight, very easy to get weight.”

This observation captures one of the fundamental challenges of fitness – the asymmetry between how quickly we can lose conditioning versus how quickly we can gain unwanted pounds.

Mind Over Matter

Perhaps the most valuable insight shared was about the mental aspect of exercise: “Don't let your body control you. Control your body.”

This mindset is crucial for fitness success. There will always be excuses – feeling tired, busy schedules, or minor discomforts – but developing the mental discipline to overcome these barriers is what separates consistent exercisers from occasional ones.

Starting Small

For those intimidated by fitness, remember this advice: “We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds. If we cannot lift 10 pounds, just little by little, we are going to be fine.”

Progressive overload – gradually increasing the demands on your body – is a proven principle in exercise science. You don't need to be an elite athlete to benefit from regular physical activity.

The Recovery Process

After returning to exercise following their illness, our fitness enthusiast reported immediate benefits: “No more lying down, no more sickness, no more headache! I'm better today, definitely.”

While exercise isn't a miracle cure for all illnesses, appropriate physical activity can help boost energy levels, improve mood, and accelerate recovery in many cases.

Finding Your Pace

The treadmill workout described demonstrates how to scale exercise to your current fitness level. While the individual once ran at higher speeds (levels 7-9), they now adjusted to a more moderate pace due to current fitness limitations.

This adaptability is key to sustainable fitness. Your workout intensity should match your current capabilities, not some arbitrary standard.

The Bottom Line

Your health is your most valuable asset. As our fitness enthusiast aptly noted, “When you are in good health, you can achieve. It's only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals.”

Regular exercise, even when it's challenging to motivate yourself, is an investment in your future capacity to live, work, and play without limitations. Don't wait until you experience the stiffness and discomfort of inactivity to remember this important lesson.