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Staying fit during a pandemic

Ebony Joyce, Career Success Coach image

Ebony Joyce, Career Success Coach

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I had really started the year off great. I was working out 5 days a week, eating better than I had after all the holiday activities. I was 3 months into my new fitness journey and then the gym closed, the I could no find healthy snacks! It’s like the year didn’t want me to be great.

I had to quickly adjust. I already work from home. I didn’t want to gain the freshman 15 like I did all those years ago. So now I’m doing home workouts and walking more.

How has your fitness journey been impacted? How have you adjusted? What’s your plan to stay on track?

We can do this! Right?

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  1. Anonymous

    I used to go to the gym 4 days a week so safe to say things have changed quite a bit! I'm trying to stay active by exercising every day (either running, home workouts or yoga) and filling my fridge with fruit. I have a sweet tooth so I've found the best way to avoid snacking on cookies is by having fruit as an alternative. Keeping a positive mindset is the most important thing we can do right now!

  2. Ebony Joyce, Career Success Coach

    Keep up the great work!

  3. Anonymous

    you too!

  4. Jackie Ghedine

    I'm working out 5 days a week at home and have really enjoyed this new routine. I always walk or bike every single day (that isn't raining). I'm finding myself more active and giving myself permission for walk breaks in between work. Stealing time!

  5. 39

    Very impressive!

  6. Ebony Joyce, Career Success Coach

    I’m ready to pull my bike out. Great idea!

  7. Tinuke Akintobi

    It is definitely an adjustment, especially since I am not working from home alone. I've been finding time everyday to join a Facebook Live video of YogaSix Go, StretchLab Go, or Club Pilates Go. There are a lot of other FB classes, but I chose those specifically since it's not going to cause a lot of noise and disturb the other people in the house. As for eating healthy, fruit and nuts have been my lifesavers.

  8. Ebony Joyce, Career Success Coach

    Good idea!

  9. Gigi Devanney

    You definitely need to get creative! I've transitioned into more cardio than before (when I was at the gym 4-5 days a week) and trying to eliminate my eating out of boredom.
    There's loads of workouts you can do from home -- cardio and bodyweight routines. Checkout instagram and flipboard for sources.

  10. Ebony Joyce, Career Success Coach

    Thanks!

  11. Anonymous

    I am in the same boat as you. I was working out at the gym 5-6 days a week and eating well. Had lost some unwanted weight and then everything hit the fan. I had such a hard time finding fruit, veges and meat, that lead to buying bad food which lead to snacking more and sitting more. Blah. I gained 6 lbs out of the 14 that I had lost. (I am back down 2 lbs). I'm back to not buying junk food and that has helped me. My sugar cravings are being satisfied by fruit for the most part. I will say, I have been more relaxed in these last few weeks than I have been in a long time with not having to rush everywhere, that part is really nice.

  12. Anonymous

    Cooking and exploring healthy and vegetarian options are helping on the nutrition/ minimize weight gain front. I'm also trying out a number of free (and occasional paid) online classes. Here's a great list of resources available: https://www.recoupwellness.com/blogs/news/the-best-online-workouts-how-to-stay-fit-when-you-are-stuck-at-home

  13. Ebony Joyce, Career Success Coach

    Thank you! I’m cooking everyday I’m always looking for more options.

  14. Mandy Trouten

    Don't hesitate to get extra inventive, Google recipes, and make your own snacks. It may be hard to find pre-made snacks; but, I'd bet it's much easier to find the things to make those snacks--things like rolled oats, figs, dates, raw honey, peanuts, peanut butter, raisins, fresh/frozen/dried fruit, etc. Likewise, there's yogurt, applesauce, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and a variety of other options. Virtually anything that can be purchased premade can be made from scratch at home, and usually healthier. :)

  15. Ebony Joyce, Career Success Coach

    I’m glad the store have restocked. All my favorite healthy options are back.

  16. Flossy

    Balance. I am walking and finally was able to get back on the yoga mat with virtual classes with my favorite teachers. My diet is well out the window given I have the high income and have been permanently laid off because the company will probably not make it. I am not guzzling water 32oz + as not to task the toilet paper reserves. Do what you can and forgive yourself. As we say about yoga... it is a practice not a perfect.

  17. Ebony Joyce, Career Success Coach

    Balance! Absolutely... it’s a stressful time when it come to the workforce. Start looking, companies are still hiring.

  18. Flossy

    I am proactively putting myself out there daily. I am lucky I have been a saver all my life and we have cash reserves. It interrupts huge life plans. IT WILL PASS. We haven't lost anyone. We are lucky.

  19. Ebony Joyce, Career Success Coach

    Keeping a positive attitude during this time is so important. We have to show our gratitude even in times like this.

  20. Anonymous

    I couldn't agree more with you, Ebony, about showing our gratitude even in times like these. Here's my gratitude list for today:
    1. the huge, fluffy snowflakes falling today in my city
    2. A short walk in the fresh air to/from the mailbox where I dropped of Easter cards for my parents who live in another city, and friends that I can't see in person.
    3. The warm and friendly smile that I received from a neighbour who was out walking his dog today.
    4. My Internet connection is still working , which is a blessing at a time like this, as I can still be connecting via text and phone with friends near and further afield.
    5. Food to eat 3x/day
    I find it helpful to shift my focus to the positive in this time of uncertainty...

  21. Lori Hill

    I have a Peloton bike, which I loved before all of this, but now its my lifesaver! I bought a "desk" that fits on top of the handlebars and its perfect for meetings. I take all my meetings on the bike, choose a scenic ride and have ridden hundreds of miles in the last few weeks. Peloton has made their app is free for 90 days and has tons of classes even if you don't have a bike; yoga, strength, stretching, dance cardio. Check it out!

  22. S.ALI

    I feel your pain.. I used to go out for a run in super empty running path , now everyone and their grandmother is on it and not heeding social distancing guidelines :( .. Try to do a 30-45 min walk/run a day. If you can't go out, try to so some walk/jog in place in you don't have a treadmill. I been also trying not to stress eat(sugary stuff are my weakness), so I don't buy any and limit grocery runs. Hang in there. We are coping the best we can, so be kind to yourself.. Stay healthy

  23. Cheryl J.

    Similar experience...I started a kickboxing gym membership and was off to a great start for the new year. With the shutdown, my gym started providing members with online workout videos to encourage continued progress on fitness goals. I’ve used the videos, added walks around my community, and athletic activities with my daughter to stay focused on my fitness journey. I’m considered an ‘essential worker’ at my youth residential facility and have adjusted my work schedule to accommodate childcare and my fitness goals. Working out is a release for me and during this uncertainty I chose to make my mental/physical health a priority.

  24. Anonymous

    I love the Nike Training App for shorter, intense workouts. They've got everything from stretching sessions to full body workouts, and you can search by muscle group, intensity, workout length, and even equipment. I used this when I first started working out more, and have gotten back on it now because they're great at-home workouts! Perfect for rainy days...

  25. Anonymous

    We could shift the focus on how we feel and not so much what we do. We're in a pandemic crisis. Would be nice to throw off the shackles of patriarchy and image

  26. SARA JOHNSON

    I really need to find a new routine. I'm trying to either walk or follow some at-home work out. My tiny apartment just doesn't have the space you can find somewhere like a gym.

  27. CJB62

    I am in the same boat. I am in a 700 square foot condo, older building with thin walls (I can hear my upstairs neighbor’s TV at midnight and my elderly neighbor downstairs frequently complains that she can hear me walking - in slippers! I have been going on long walks each day when weather allows but wondering if there are ways to exercise in a small space that don’t involve jumping around?

  28. SARA JOHNSON

    My space is 288 s.f and has a large bed in it. There are some 'apartment friendly workout' videos on Youtube, you might want to try. Just search those terms in Youtube. They may work in your situation. My space still isn't ideal.

  29. CJB62

    I”ll check into that. Thanks!

  30. Holli H.

    I was going to the gym regularly too. I remind myself are you eating because you are hungry or bored. I also try to get in a home workout 4 days a week. I am also in a StepBet which requires me to get so many steps a day in order to win my game. I love working from home but do need something to keep me motivated.

  31. Ivelisse Boerenko

    I've been working remotely for2 weeks, I've realized after week one that I needed a new routine. (Eating habits went down the drain as well as zero motivation to get up early and exercise-hated the prospect)
    While I was doing boot camp twice a week before work to maintain. I was a countable to a great group. Now I'm on my own and have trouble staying motivated through a workout. Week 3 is this week will try Peloton app! Thanks for keeping it real.

  32. MACOLLVIE NEEL

    Great question! Thankfully, my MMA gym started live-streaming classes, so I’ve caught one or two in the last week. (Don’t need much equipment to kickbox / showdowbox.) My husband and I also plan to take turns going for a run while the other stays with the kids. It’s slow-going, but we’ll get into a decent workout routine over the next couple weeks.

  33. Emily L Derr

    Download the NEOU app so much variety with fitness routines dance, barre, Bootcamp yoga! Also boho beautiful on YouTube has free workout programs that are yoga and Pilates based. I haven’t belonged to a gym for years but since the pandemic I have been taking my workout to the next level! Let me know and I can send you the links!

  34. RANDI NASH

    My hours were recently reduced at work. After spending years bemoaning what I would do if I had extra hours in the morning to work out/write, I finally get to put my money where my mouth was. In the morning, I now alternate between yoga classes on YouTube and running through a local bike trail at 6am (no one else around so no worries about social distancing!). Then I come home, make coffee, and write until I have to clock in for work at 10. Once my day is done, I do some strength training in my library/workout room.

  35. Brandyce Gordon

    The hardest part of this whole thing for me has been the eating. I am back to working from home and as I found out 4 years ago when I did this the first time, I like snacks. Especially ones that are carb based. It is an issue since now I am working from my living room again that is connected to my kitchen. I work hard every day to be mindful about what I eat. I try for fruits and veggies instead of cookies and candy. I try not to buy too many of the unhealthy snacks. If they are not here, I cannot eat them. But I also give myself a break. If I eat a cookie, I don't beat myself up about it. If I have an off day, I get back on track the next day. This is a stressful time. We all have off days. We all have days and times when we really want something sweet, salty, fatty. There is nothing wrong with that as long as it does not become the norm. Indulge a little, then get back on track. And more than that, don't mentally beat yourself up for it. That will only add to your stress and add to your body's desire to store all the fat you are eating. So eat healthy, have a cookie here and there, and get yourself moving at least a little bit each day, even if it is just a few stretches over your lunch break because that is all you can get yourself to do that day. Push yourself to workout hard when you feel good, take a break when you don't. What this all boils down to is be mindful about what you put in your body and listen to what it is telling you. I am all about the hard workouts and healthy eating but I also love slow walks and cookies. Life is about balance and we are all just trying to balance the whole world on our shoulders right now.

  36. Krista Coutts

    Thank goodness I have a small dog who loves to go on walks! And I'm blessed to live in an area with good weather and trails for walking and hiking. My gym also started live workout sessions on FB Live...so can get my exercise each day! Found several other online resources that are free!

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