Why You Shouldn't Skip Exercise Even When You're Sick
After a few days of feeling under the weather and skipping workouts, I discovered firsthand how quickly the body can stiffen up and lose progress. Despite having a headache, congestion, and overall fatigue, I decided it was time to get moving again rather than continuing to let my body deteriorate.
This experience reinforced an important lesson: it's extremely difficult to lose weight but incredibly easy to gain it. The key to maintaining fitness isn't found in occasional intense workouts but in consistency and pushing through discomfort.
The Importance of Mental Control
When it comes to fitness, your mind must control your body – not the other way around. This means:
- Controlling your cravings when you feel like snacking
- Forcing your body to move even when you don't feel like it
- Not letting temporary discomfort stop your progress
The path to fitness isn't always comfortable. Sometimes you need to push through resistance and force yourself to move. It's about taking command of your body rather than letting it dictate your actions.
Returning After Illness
My return to exercise after being sick was challenging. Yesterday, I couldn't sustain even five minutes of jogging without stopping. Today, I could already feel improvement as my energy levels began returning.
This quick turnaround demonstrates how responsive our bodies can be to movement. Even when we're not at 100%, getting active can accelerate recovery and prevent the fitness regression that comes with extended inactivity.
Start Where You Are
You don't need to be a fitness professional to benefit from exercise. If you can't lift 100 pounds, start with 10. If 10 is too much, begin with 5. The important thing is to start somewhere and build gradually.
With consistent effort, your capacity will increase. Your health is the foundation upon which all other goals are built – when you're in poor health, achieving other objectives becomes much more difficult.
Equipment Considerations
For home cardio workouts, a treadmill with adjustable settings can be invaluable. Look for one that tracks:
- Time elapsed
- Calories burned
- Speed settings
- Incline options
Adjust the intensity based on your current fitness level. If you're carrying extra weight, start with lower speeds (2-3) and gradually work up. Most home treadmills go up to speeds of 10-12, providing room to progress as your fitness improves.
Remember that consistency matters more than intensity. A regular, sustainable workout routine will yield better long-term results than sporadic intense sessions that leave you too sore or tired to continue.
