Life changes dramatically when the smaller abilities you took for granted are all but erased by illness, injury or aging. When you lose the power to do little things, going back to the basics of fitness can look daunting. You will have to take baby steps to get that strength back, but you can regain ground with a little sweat and a lot of faith.

We will all one day find ourselves unable to do what we once could. We are all aging, growing older, and changing. The dream is that we will age gracefully, that we will die peacefully in our sleep after living a productive, joy-filled life. But the reality is that at some point in each of our lives, we will have to scratch our way back to the surface from some low point, some type of physical predicament that we didn’t plan for or even imagine.

For example: The marathon runner who finds herself pregnant with triplets, completely bed-ridden in the hospital for several months. The tri-athlete in his 40’s who is in the best shape of his life, until he strains his groin muscle during a challenging race. The career woman who is so dedicated to her 80-hour work weeks that she forgets to eat right and exercise and can’t remember how she ever got this heavy. Recovering from from chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia, diabetes, asthma, migraines, or allergies may never happen, so how does how do we go back to the basics of fitness when we can barely move?

While living a healthy lifestyle keeps you younger longer, it’s not an eternal fountain of youth. Things like depression, eating disorders, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, menopause, and giving birth all wipe us out for lengthy periods of time. They take our strength, but here is how we can go back to the basics of fitness, building on what we have and growing stronger again.

Start by talking to your doctor - Whether you’re just starting out, or recovering and starting all over again, your M.D. or naturopath will know how to get you where you dream of being. You need a doctor who will cheer for your recovery and isn’t drugging you to the point where you can’t function. A good doctor will outline where you are now, what you can expect in the future concerning fallback from your illness or injury, and what activities and nutrition choices will help you lead the healthiest life possible from this moment forward.

Hire a physical therapist or a personal trainer - A trained professional will know how to help you deal with any physical setback or ailment. Only hire someone who is  certified or has a college degree in their field. Ask others who have been through your situation for recommendations. Look for a person who emits energy and encouragement, someone who leaves you feeling motivated.

Your doctor can refer you to a physical therapist if you can’t find one, and personal trainers operate out of private practices, studios and clubs or gyms. If you already belong to a gym or athletic club, ask the staff about a free consultation. If you are considering joining a club or fitness center, make sure that 2-3 free fitness appointments are included in the start-up fee.

Find a buddy: virtual or real - Try to meet someone at the gym, at work, church, or in physical therapy who is going through the same thing you are. Keep your ears open, share your story, share what you are trying to accomplish, and pray for someone to pipe up and say, “Hey, me too!” The internet is full of support groups, and you may be able to connect with an online buddy, someone you can instant message (IM) each day to check in with each other. Please use caution when giving out personal information online. Keep your sharing related to the topic at hand.

Educate yourself - Subscribe to a magazine that addresses your particular life stage or situation. Get online and Google keywords that relate to what you’re going through. Read, read, and read some more. Consult your local library for books, videos, and audio resources that you can borrow. Share what you learn with the people in your life. Your loved ones want to see you healthy and glowing again. If there’s ways for them to help, allow them to do that. No man is an island. We need accountability, advice, hugs, information, quality time, and understanding from others. But they may not know you need it until you ask for it.

If you’ve never experienced an accident, an illness or a life stage like pregnancy that leaves you feeling less than your best, you will. The best thing you can do to prepare for life’s unknowns is get yourself into better shape now. Wimps don’t get well as fast. The stronger you are going into an injury or illness, the stronger you are coming out of it.

Earlier in the article it was said that going back to the basics of fitness takes a little sweat and a lot of faith, but there’s a verse that says “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for you.” So it’s really the other way around. All you need is a lot of sweat and a little faith.

MY FIT FACTOIDZ to help you START SMALL

Eight Chair Exercises

Facts about Flexibility and Stretching

How to Burn Fat as Fuel for Fitness

Balancing Wellness: Why Fitness Isn't Just Physical

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Five Ways to Be A Fit Mom