Why You Shouldn't Skip Exercise Even When You're Feeling Sick
Taking a break from exercise when you're feeling under the weather might seem like the right thing to do, but as I recently discovered, prolonged inactivity can actually make you feel worse. After several days of feeling sick and skipping my workouts, I found my body becoming increasingly stiff and uncomfortable.
Stretching became painful – even the back of my legs, muscles, and toes caused discomfort. The lack of movement had made everything tense up, which only compounded my illness symptoms rather than helping me recover.
Getting Back on Track
Despite still feeling some symptoms – an aching head, stuffy nose, and neck pain – I decided it was time to break the cycle of inactivity. Even a short 20-minute workout can make a significant difference in how you feel when recovering from illness.
The key is to listen to your body while still challenging it appropriately. You don't need to jump right back into high-intensity workouts, but some light cardio can help restore energy levels and improve your overall sense of wellbeing.
Mind Over Matter
Weight management is fundamentally about control – controlling your body rather than letting it control you. While it's very easy to gain weight, losing it requires consistent effort and discipline.
As I discovered during my workout, you must sometimes force your body to move even when it doesn't feel like it. This mental discipline extends beyond exercise to other aspects of health:
- Control your food choices
- Commit to regular activity
- Push through initial resistance
- Focus on progress, not perfection
Start Where You Are
You don't need to be a fitness professional to benefit from regular exercise. The important thing is consistency, not intensity. If you can't lift heavy weights, start with something lighter. If you can't run at high speeds, begin with walking or light jogging.
On my treadmill, I used to run at speeds of 9-10, but now I've adjusted to what my current fitness level allows – around speed 7. The goal isn't to match past performance immediately but to gradually build back strength and endurance.
The Benefits of Pushing Through
Even after a short workout, I could feel my energy levels improving. What I couldn't sustain for five minutes yesterday became more manageable today. My body responded positively to movement, with improved circulation helping to clear my head and reduce other symptoms.
By the end of a relatively short session, I had burned nearly 200 calories and felt significantly better than before I started. This rapid improvement demonstrates how quickly our bodies can respond to positive activity, even when we're not feeling our best.
Listen to Your Body, But Don't Give In Too Easily
While extreme illness certainly warrants complete rest, many minor ailments actually benefit from light to moderate exercise. The key is finding the right balance – challenging yourself enough to maintain fitness and boost recovery without pushing so hard that you worsen your condition.
The next time you're feeling under the weather, consider whether a gentle workout might actually be more beneficial than complete rest. Your body might thank you with a faster recovery and improved overall wellbeing.
