How To Exercise When Stressed Or Recovering From Illness

Exercising when recovering from illness or under stress (especially when your thyroid isn’t working properly) when trying to lose weight requires a special approach. Exercising the right way can help restore thyroid health and strengthen immune health, making it easier to lose weight.

You might think that pushing yourself when exercising is a good thing, but what most don’t realize is that over-exercising (exercising too intensely) actually makes it worse by causing more stress to your already stressed body. However, exercising the right way can help restore thyroid health and strengthen immune health, making it easier to lose weight.

The key things to remember are that if you haven't been exercising, start slow and monitor your minutes. Aim for several bouts of exercise or walks per day in 10 minute intervals, allowing your body to dictate the pace. You should be able to carry on a conversation while walking or exercising. If you can't, you're working too hard! Ease up and don't allow your mind to override knowledge. Our minds have a tendency to want to push us, causing undue stress that we are working to reduce.

If you were exercising prior to illness but stopped, the science is however long you were sick for, or out of commission (not working out -- let’s say three weeks), that's how long you should take to get back to your normal routine.

I tell myself to perform at 50% to prevent myself from overworking, which is a problem for me, especially once the endorphins kick in. My old mentor, Dr. Fred Hatfield used to say always leave the gym wanting more, or feeling like you could have done more. Don't over-train or get injured.

On the flipside, if you're someone who never works out, this should sound like the best news ever. All you have to do is show up and do your best.

If you're feeling so tired that you have to take a nap after, you worked too hard.
Ease up and slow down to improve healing and recovery. Take Pure Omega 3 and/or Recovery Agent immediately after to boost recovery.

Mild, moderate exercise daily is best and beats over-exercising that you can only do once or twice a week, especially when it comes to your thyroid, immune health, and weight loss.

Hope this helps, and keep on keepin' on!

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Lisa Lynn, Clinical Metabolic Nutrition & Fitness Expert and Associate Chaplain. Best known for her 18+ years as Martha Stewart’s trainer, who was responsible for Martha’s over-50 amazing physical transformation that caught the attention of Dr. Oz, leading to her many appearances on the Dr. Oz Show. Lisa is not just another trainer; she herself lost 40 pounds and has kept it off, even with a sluggish thyroid and menopause.
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