What Are Some Ways To Stay Healthy & Active RIght Now?!
While we’ve all gained a lot of perspective these past 12 months, but some of us have also gained a few pounds, along with some unhealthy eating habits.
Gyms have been closed or open to small numbers and restaurants, the same; Many of us have been opting for food delivery like GrubHub or Uber Eats; and we’ve also been working from home, doing A LOT of virtual events vs. in-person where we’re walking and moving instead of sitting in front of a screen.
Combine all of that with all of the stress we’ve experienced throughout it all, many of us know all about the weight gain and unhealthiness that has inhabited our lives this year. While this certainly doesn’t apply to all of us, if you’ve been struggling with finding balance these days, we’ve got some tips for you!
Check out these ways to stay healthy and active these next few months!
*** Staying healthy during quarantine ***
These tips from will help you restart your routine, simply and safely.
1. Focus on whole foods
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, beans, nuts and legumes are all healthy choices. Bonus: A healthy diet is an immune system booster. Learn to recognize when you’re eating in response to stress, despite not actually being hungry.
2. Think before you drink (or eat)
Pause for 15 minutes to think about what you’re really craving, and whether you’re using food to comfort yourself. Limiting your alcohol intake will help you avoid empty calories as well as the health risks associated with binge drinking. Also, trying drinking some water — we often mistake thirst for hunger.
3. Snack wisely
Keep your refrigerator and pantry stocked with wholesome, nutritious foods instead of processed snacks that are high in sugar, sodium or fat.
Eating fruits and vegetables throughout the day helps prevent you from overeating. When dinnertime rolls around, you’re not as hungry as you would have been if you hadn’t taken in those calories.
4. Don’t starve yourself
If you let yourself get very hungry, you tend to make poor choices.
5. Find a fitness routine that works for you
Walking, jogging, swimming, biking and surfing can all be done while respecting social distancing protocols. And the internet is filled with free or low-cost cardio, yoga and body-weight workout videos that can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Even small amounts of physical activity do make a difference in your health.
*** Here’s How You Can Stay Active While At Home ***
-- Find workouts through online videos and apps.
The internet is chock-full of free workout videos, from yoga to Zumba to circuit training that you can do in your backyard. Test out a few workouts to find a series, program or instructor that you like. (Bonus points if you can get other members of your household to join you!)
-- Walk, run or bike outside. Everyone could use a little fresh air. Hit the pavement in your neighborhood and challenge yourself to walk, run or bike a certain number of minutes or miles. If you’re an experienced fitness buff and you’re really looking to ramp up your heart rate, opt for hills or try a running-based HIIT workout. And, yes, it’s possible to keep this up even in the cold winter months.
-- Focus on bodyweight movements.
Now’s the time to incorporate bodyweight exercises into your workouts. These tried and true movements include things like pushups, squats, lunges, planks and burpees. They’re convenient, efficient and inexpensive (AKA free). Pick a few different movements and create a circuit workout by completing as many reps of that one movement as possible in one minute. Then rest for a minute and continue on to the next movement and do the same thing. Repeat this for 15 to 20 minutes.
-- Try your own exercise bike or treadmill.
If you have access to a treadmill, stationary bicycle or elliptical, the internet has many amazing virtual rides, runs, or walks to choose from. Traveling may be difficult right now, but with a few computer clicks, you could be riding your stationary bike on the streets of Lisbon, or anywhere else you choose. Imagine exploring some faraway locale, all from the comfort of your living room. Try imagining yourself in this location post-COVID!
-- Order inexpensive fitness equipment online.
Exercise machines can be pricey but there are other options. Things like jump ropes, pull-up bars that attach to door frames, suspension trainers and resistance bands are inexpensive items that can pack a punch when it comes to your workouts. Maybe choose a heavier resistance band and suggests tying the suspension trainer to a tree outside. You could also ask around if other family members or neighbors have old dumbbells or barbells that they no longer use.
-- Utilize items around your house.
You may have to get creativity when it comes to working out at home. Run up and down your basement stairs, use a chair for triceps dips or grab cans of soup or a gallon of water as a weight. Even jumping over a shoebox a few times can be a quick burst of cardio.
-- Get your household involved.
If you have kids, chances are they have more energy to burn off than you know what to do with and they’d be thrilled to be involved. Try to incorporate them into your plans to stay active – whether it’s encouraging them to do pushups with you or organizing a backyard obstacle course. Try to walk your dog every day, play tag with your kids or get your whole family involved in a backyard soccer game. Also never underestimate the power of a good dance party! It’s a great way to make memories with your family and burn off some stress and anxiety