How exercise helped me recover from long covid-BY AMY ENGKJER

My Covid experience began in the fall of 2020. I won’t go into detail as it seems like a lifetime ago and ultimately not super helpful to tell you all the tragic symptoms :-) but if you are inclined, you can see the link to my full story at the bottom of this article.

Writing this long COVID recovery story for Rebound Athletic is way more fun! It is especially rewarding to think of my recovery now after so much time has passed. I really have come so far that is worth celebrating. As is every single moment during recovery even if it’s a small win of making your own meal one day. In addition to meditation, breathing exercises, cold water training and more, I know one thing, and that is that exercise played an instrumental role in my recovery.

Continuing to move my body, getting blood flow to my brain, and staying strong were critical ingredients. Initially, just getting on an exercise bike would potentially strain a muscle and set me back for a week! (That literally happened) But I kept at it. Slowly, lovingly, I reassured myself that I was going in the right direction.

Overtime, I was able to do a little bit more each time I exercised. At times, my body would sound the alarm bells, believing I had overdone it. But I continued to reassure myself, reminding myself that I was healthy and that these overactive alarms needed deactivating.

Each time I felt fear, tension, pain or anxiety, I would stop, say “your ok” and test the waters again. And again, and again. Over time I retrained my body and mind that it was safe. My husband (a personal trainer) uses the term progressive overload when strength training.

Progressive overload training is a type of strength training that involves gradually increasing the intensity or difficulty of workouts over time.

The goal of progressive overload is to maximize results by regularly challenging the body. In hindsight, I believe my entire long COVID recovery was a form of Progressive overload!

Gradually exposing myself to new stimulation, experiences, using certain tools to turn off the alarm bells in my nervous system, and replace them with new encouraging and positive responses. Over time gradually challenging my body was the key.

Initially I just walked but eventually I was hiking mountains. And now I am stronger than ever! I even lost 20 lbs! Whatever you do, don't stop moving. You've got this!

Read Amy's full recovery story on her website Positively Covid here.

P.s.

If you have an inspiring rebound story back to fitness, we would love to feature you. Please send an email to hi@rebound-athletic.com