How long do I have to keep doing exercise to be cured?

When you start any of my DIY programs, it might feel like a lot of work—maybe even overwhelming. You might wonder if surgery or some other quick fix would be easier since it only “requires” a few months of recovery time (if everything goes perfectly).

But there are two analogies that I’ve found really helpful to keep things in perspective:

1. Think of your body like your bank account.

Right now, if you're in pain or limited in movement, you're in physical debt. To get out of that debt, you need to make consistent deposits—time, energy, and effort.

At first, the investment feels big. But once you're out of debt and moving well, it takes less work to maintain that freedom and comfort. You're not stuck doing tons of exercises forever—just enough to stay “financially” healthy.

2. Think about pain like hunger.

You wouldn’t expect to eat one big meal every few months and feel great, right? Your body needs food regularly.

It's the same with your muscles and bones. Muscles and bones need consistent challenge and activity. If you starve them of movement, they get weaker, stiffer, and more brittle. You start to feel aches and pains – like your stomach would if you skipped eating for a long period.

Ultimately, there is no magic pill or surgery that replaces your body’s basic need for movement. But the good news is, when you give your body what it needs—on a consistent basis—it rewards you with strength, resilience, and freedom.