Avoiding the Quarantine 15… lbs
May 15, 2020
Uncategorized
The gym remains closed. Recreational leagues are still cancelled. But the need to maintain your physical fitness and health can't be "shut down" unfortunately. Here are some ways to get exercise and stay healthy that are great for your body and your mind.
Free online home workouts
You definitely don't need a home treadmill or stationary bike, or even equipment of any kind, to get the blood pumping with a cardio workout. That's the thinking behind many YouTube fitness channels such as POPSUGAR, husband and wife duo Fitness Blender, or Blogilates, which even posted a 14-day "quarantine workout plan". In addition, now is a great time to explore what would normally be paid fitness subscriptions, such as unlimited or extended free trial access to hundreds of videos from Peloton, Nike Training Club, and P.volve, among others. Amazon Prime members already have access to many fitness videos through Prime Video. Who knows, you may not need to go to a physical gym even after the pandemic.
Biking
If you own a bike, now is obviously an excellent time to get outside and make use of it. The Lakefront Trail, 606, and some other major parks remain closed, but even a nice cruise through the neighborhood can be worthwhile exercise. Otherwise, check out our recent guide to some of the best bike trails in the region.
Meal prep to avoid snacking
You, your couch, and 24-hour close proximity to your pantry of snacks. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty, actually, especially when it comes to portion control and regular eating schedule. Even though you may not be packing lunches or eating out much anymore, meal prepping for the week is still a good idea. Meal prepping can reduce your need to go to the grocery store, ensure regular healthy meals, and with consistent portions, reduce the likelihood of random snack binging, which is often fueled by high levels of stress.
Get your sleep
Without the morning commutes or school drop-offs, your sleep schedule has probably shifted a bit— but don't slip into the pattern of going to bed later and later. Try to maintain a consistent, robust sleep schedule with limited, if any, naps. And the old adage about limiting "screen time" from electronic devices an hour before bed is as prevalent as ever, considering we are likely spending more time than ever in front of screens.
Other habits
When it comes to staying healthy there are a few other important habits too — drink plenty of water, step outside for 20 minutes of sunshine each day if you can, and call your friends and family for some connection.
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