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When the pandemic first broke out, the world didn't know what to expect. Over a year later, as we continue to battle the deadly disease, people around the world are opening up about their terrible experiences with the virus and its painful aftereffects, with Indian model and actor Malaika Arora being one of them.

Arora, who is a fitness enthusiast and works hard to stick to her exercise goals, recently took to social media to open up about the struggles of feeling like her old self again after she tested positive for coronavirus in September 2020.

"'You're so lucky', 'It must have been so easy' is something I hear regularly. Well yes, I am grateful for a lot of things in my life. But luck, played a very small role in it. And easy!? Boy! That, it was not," the Chaiyya Chaiyya star opened up.

"I tested positive on the 5th of September and it was really bad. Anyone out there calling a COVID recovery easy, is either blessed with great immunity or isn't aware of the struggles of COVID. Having gone through it myself, 'easy' is not the word I'd choose," she said.

"It broke me physically. Walking two steps felt like a herculean task. Sitting up, just stepping out of bed, wanting to stand in my window was a journey in itself. I gained weight, I felt weak, lost my stamina, I was away from my family and more," she revealed, listing how the virus broke her spirit.

However, that wasn't all. Arora revealed that despite testing negative, the impact the virus had on her body was there to stay.

"I finally tested negative on the 26th of September and I was so grateful that I did. But the weakness stayed," she said. "I felt disappointed that my body wasn't supporting how my mind felt. I was afraid that I'd never gain back my strength. I wondered whether I'd even be able to complete one activity in 24 hours."

She then spoke about how getting back to working out felt.

"My first workout was brutal. I couldn't do anything well. I felt broken," she admitted, adding that the second day she got back up and told herself she could do it, taking it one day at a time.

"It's been about 32 weeks since I tested negative and I finally have started to feel like myself again. I'm able to workout the way I used to before I tested positive. I'm able to breathe better and I feel strong both physically and mentally."

She credited this recovery to a little feeling called hope. "The hope that it's all going to be okay, even when it feels like it's not okay," thanking her fans for their neverending support.

"Thank you to all of you who have been sending me messages, DMs and inspiring stuff which kept my spirits high. But I also pray that the world recovers as well and we all come out of this together. I come out of this phase with two words — grit and gratitude."

Covid-19 has impacted different people in different ways, but one thing that is clear is that it takes a toll on you. Arora isn't the only one to experience this but we're glad she's opening up and letting everyone know that this is normal and it will take time to get back on your feet.