This week definitely tested me. After my successful week 2 at the gym, I had big plans for Week 3. I was going to up my gym game, try out some new machines, and maybe even add in some at-home workouts during the week. But instead, I found myself curled up on the couch with a box of tissues, a blanket, and the worst sinus infection/flu I think I have ever had.
So no, I didn’t make it to the gym this week. And in the past, this is where the story would end. But this time, I did something different. Instead of letting one off-week derail the whole thing I turned to the almighty internet for guidance (as one does). I found this post on Gym Craft Laundry that talked about easing bac into fitness after being sick, and honestly? It was exactly what I needed.
What I Learned:
Rest is important! It’s not “quitting” by taking time to recover – it’s being smart. Even the most dedicated gym rats take breaks when they’re sick. Instead of feeling guilty for missing workouts, I realized I need to just be kind to myself – after all life (and sickness) happens. What matters is what you do after. The old me might have fallen off the wagon completely, but the slightly wiser, more determined Week 3 version of me? She’s planning her post-sickness comeback and reminding herself that progress isn’t a straight line – it’s more like a loop-de-loop rollercoaster with surprise germs thrown in.
So, going ahead with Week 4 – now that I’m feeling a little bit better, I am going to look for some at-home workouts I can do to help easy myself back into this fitness journey and prepare myself for those 7am gym dates this weekend!
6 Comments
Trey Lefebvre
Hi Sky-Anne!
Thanks for the share! Hopefully your feeling better and getting ready for the next week of your journey. Staying committed to the gym has been one of my biggest challenges an find difficult to stay consistent! I totally agree rest is crucial..I have seen many times before of the gym burnout, where people think they need to show up at the gym everyday. This can ruin the gym experience and it’s purpose. Something I tried was “3&2 and 2&3”. This means one week is 3 days in the gym and 2 days a workout from home, next week is 2 days at the gym and 3 from home. I found this kind of schedule brought me a great balance from week to week. also, shifting the mindset from looking at the gym as a chore to something that is helping you become more than you could ever know.
Excited to hear your journey continue! KEEP GOING!
Trey
Kallie Lumbard
Hey Sky-Anne,
I hope you are doing better! Sorry to hear about you getting sick, sinus infections are awful. You definitely made a great call, rest is so important when you are sick. you have to take care of your body. I am sure that it is not the outcome that you were hoping for moving into week three but as you mentioned, moving into week four will be a huge accomplishment for you. The toughest parts are what make you stronger!
Ellie Hales
Hi Sky-Anne,
I hope you are doing much better!! I am glad to see though that you posted about taking a break and not just making something up. We are all learning new things right now and things happen!! This is why we role with the punches, which is exactly what you did when you started doing research at home.
Keep up the good work!
Grace Kelln
Hi Sky-anne,
Sickness is the absolute worse when trying to feel consistent. I am super glad you took the time to rest. I think my biggest tip with the gym is setting a designated time to go. I have too struggled with be consistent in the gym but ever since I have decided on a specific time of the day for the gym, I have been going consistently. I can’t wait to see what this next week brings for you!
Grace
Harli
Hi Sky-Ann I know I’m late to reading this but I hope you’re feeling much better! I appreciate your honesty about not being able to make it and not making that a negative. As someone who would like to get back into the gym and my running I appreciate transparency as usually online people refuse to show if they missed a day. But like you mentioned rest can be just as important if not more than moving your body when you’re not feeling 100%.
Muhammad Azam
Hey Sky-Anne!
Rest is most definitely important. I go to the gym from Mondays through Thursdays. Fridays through Sundays are my rest days. I know it is quite notable to have a minimum of one rest day. But even then when on my rest day from physical exercise, I am still constantly staying active. This is because I work on Fridays and the weekends and I obtain my average 2,500 steps per day from the shifts I work.
But, as you have kindly mentioned, rest is truly important. It helps in relaxing sore muscles, heals muscles, and provides them with more energy. Furthermore, at home gym workouts are great as well. It is always good to have a treadmill at home to use. When using my treadmill at home, I do not simply just walk or run on it alone. I either listen to music, watch shows, or even review the flashcard materials that I have prepared for other courses. This way I am multitasking and staying on top of the game as well.
– Muhammad