Why You Should Never Stop Exercising: My Recovery Journey
After several days of feeling sick and neglecting my exercise routine, I learned a painful lesson about the importance of consistent physical activity. My body became stiff, and I experienced pain throughout – from the back of my legs to my neck and even my toes. This experience reinforced what many fitness experts have long claimed: maintaining regular exercise is crucial for overall wellbeing.
The contrast between how I felt during my illness and how quickly my energy returned once I resumed activity was remarkable. Even a short 20-minute workout began to restore my vitality and improve my symptoms.
The Challenge of Weight Management
One truth that became clear during my recovery is that maintaining fitness requires consistent effort. As I often remind myself: “It is very hard to lose weight but very easy to gain weight.” This reality means we must be disciplined about our physical activity.
The key to success lies in mind over matter. You must:
- Control your body, not let your body control you
- Practice mouth control and dietary discipline
- Force yourself to move, even when it feels difficult
When your body craves unhealthy food or inactivity, you must sometimes firmly say “no” and choose exercise instead.
Starting Small Is Perfectly Fine
You don't need to be a fitness professional to benefit from exercise. As I discovered during my recovery, you can begin with what your body can handle:
- Start with light jogging if running is too difficult
- Begin with 5-pound weights instead of aiming for 100 pounds
- Progress gradually as your strength returns
During my recovery workout, I monitored my progress carefully, noting improvements in my stamina compared to previous days. Just days ago, I couldn't sustain even five minutes of jogging, but with each day of renewed activity, my endurance improved.
The Equipment Doesn't Matter
While I use a treadmill with various settings for speed and incline, the specific equipment isn't what matters most. What's important is moving your body in whatever way works for you. My treadmill allows me to track calories, time, and distance, which helps me monitor my progress.
Currently, I keep my speed moderate – around level 5-7 on my machine. Before my illness, I could manage higher speeds, and I know I'll get back there. As I lose weight and build strength, I'll gradually increase the intensity of my workouts.
Health Is Wealth
Perhaps the most important lesson from this experience is that good health truly is wealth. When you're healthy, you can pursue your goals and dreams. It's only when illness prevents you from doing certain activities that you realize how precious good health is.
No matter your current fitness level, committing to regular exercise – even in small amounts – is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. As I felt my energy returning through this recovery workout, I was reminded of this fundamental truth.
Don't wait until illness forces you to appreciate your health. Start moving today, even if it's just a little bit. Your future self will thank you.
