Why You Should Never Stop Exercising: My Recovery Journey
After several days of feeling sick and not exercising, I learned a valuable lesson about consistency in fitness. The lack of physical activity left my body stiff, with pain in my legs, neck, and even my toes. This experience reinforced what many fitness experts have been saying all along – maintaining regular exercise is crucial for overall wellbeing.
When I finally returned to my workout routine, I could immediately feel the difference. Despite still experiencing some symptoms like headaches and congestion, getting my body moving again was exactly what I needed. “No more lying down, no more sickness, no more headache,” I told myself as I pushed through the initial discomfort.
The Challenge of Getting Back on Track
Returning to exercise after a break is never easy. As I started jogging, I noticed how much my endurance had decreased in just a few days. What was once manageable became challenging. Two days prior, I couldn't sustain even five minutes of continuous jogging – a stark reminder of how quickly fitness levels can decline when we pause our routines.
This experience highlights an important truth about fitness: “It is very hard to lose weight, but very easy to gain it.” The same principle applies to physical conditioning. Building endurance takes consistent effort, while losing it happens surprisingly fast.
Mind Over Matter
The key to maintaining a fitness routine isn't always about physical capability – it's often about mental strength. As I pushed myself to continue exercising despite not feeling 100%, I reminded myself of the importance of self-control:
- Control your mouth – make healthy food choices
- Control your body – push through the initial resistance
- Force yourself to move – even when it's the last thing you want to do
“It is not easy, but you are going to force it,” became my mantra. Fitness isn't meant to be easy – the challenge is what makes it effective.
Starting Small is Better Than Not Starting
One misconception that prevents many people from exercising is the belief that workouts need to be intense or professional-level to be beneficial. This simply isn't true. “You must not lift 100 pounds… just start by lifting 10 pounds, 5 pounds.”
My treadmill workout demonstrated this principle perfectly. While I once could run at speeds of 9 or 10, I now had to be content with speeds of 5 to 7. The important thing wasn't the intensity but the fact that I was moving again.
Health as the Foundation for Achievement
Perhaps the most important realization from this experience was recognizing that health forms the foundation for all other achievements. “Your health is what? When you are in good health, you can achieve. It's only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals.”
This perspective shift can be powerful motivation. Exercise isn't just about looking good or even feeling good in the moment – it's about creating the physical foundation that allows you to pursue all your other goals and aspirations.
By the end of my workout, I had burned nearly 200 calories and could already feel my energy returning. The experience served as a powerful reminder of why consistent exercise matters and why I won't be taking extended breaks again anytime soon.
