How Do I Stay Physically Fit During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
You may ask yourself, how can I and my family stay fit during this COVO-19 Pandemic while locked down at home? I have some suggestions that you may want to try. They’re not difficult and can be done in your own home or at a park with a sidewalk or street sidewalk. I believe that being physically active will help you to feel in control of your health and give you a calmness that exercise often gives when you do it. You can walk, ride a stationary bike at home, do stretches, yoga to music. There is no reason you can’t enjoy a workout in your own home.
Walking can give you the peace you need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Take control of your health by exercise and feeling better by walking.
I love walking, and you don’t need a gym to walk outside when the weather is good. I suggest that if at all possible that you get a physical if you haven’t had one in a while. I know with all the COVID-19 issues going around it may be difficult to get in to see your doctor. If you can schedule your appointment with a PA-Physician’s Assistant, and if they give you the green light to exercise, then you’re good to go. You just want to make sure that you don’t have any underlying medical concerns.
Find a safe place that you can start your walking program (A park with sidewalks, or street with sidewalks) a country road, even a hiking trail. If you are new to this, take your time and start with 30 minutes of walking daily or at least four days for one week. Then add 5 minutes to each week that you will be walking until you reach 60 minutes. When you hit that mark, then start doing it for speed, step up your pace. Walking is the easiest exercise there is. Walking gives you a calmness and peacefulness that many would love to have. When you walk, enjoy your surroundings, the trees, birds, country, city, people watching, it’s all good. The smells you will encounter, the new buds on trees, fresh flowers, the fresh rain on the grass. The sounds of birds, the wind in the trees. There is so much to see when you do a walk. You can also listen to your favorite music while on the move.
I believe that exercising during this time will give you a feeling of being in control of your health and well-being. Follow the 6-foot distancing from people that the CDC- (Centers for Disease Control) recommends if walking with a group of people. Be careful, put you and your family first. If you have any questions about putting together a walking program, contact Dr. Mike at 303.880.9878 (MST)
Dr. Michael Brooks is the founder of Applicable Counseling and life coaching Services. It is affordable, accessible, anonymous and available by appointment from the privacy of your home. To avoid travel time and the comfort of home, many clients prefer to meet with Dr. Mike over the phone or via Skype (if you want to Skype with Dr. Mike send him an email at mbrooks3353@gmail.com to set up an appointment). The convenience of this type of Counseling/Coaching is the most effective means of Life Coaching for those who live outside of Colorado. Give Dr. Mike a call! You’ll be glad you did!
FOX News Brief: In an announcement advising franchises to close their doors, Planet Fitness unveiled a plan to bring short, no-equipment workouts to anyone who can access its Facebook page.
The “Home Work-Ins,” as they’re being called, are part of its “United We Move” initiative and feature certified trainers and special guests Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
“Our daily routines have changed in unexpected ways,” Planet Fitness CMO Jeremy Tucker said in an e-mail to Fox. “That’s why we’re offering a free, daily virtual fitness class for everyone on Planet Fitness’ Facebook page from Monday through Friday for the next two weeks (as of now), as we know exercise has both mental and physical health benefits.”
Some of the special guests who will be sweating along with you in your living room include “The Biggest Loser” coach and fitness trainer Erica Lugo and NASCAR driver Joey Logano, among others.
The Planet Fitness app also features some 500 workouts for those who might not be able to make the live stream.
Until May, Gold’s Gym is also offering free access to its app, Gold’s AMP
Peloton-treadmill or bike on your own
After announcing the closure of its brick-and-mortar locations, Peloton also announced it would be offering new users a free 90-day trial of its app.
Don’t have a Peloton bike or treadmill at home? No problem. The app’s selections include a variety of workouts that can be completed without its name-brand goods.
Co-founder and CEO John Foley points out that it’s not just your own health on the line. “Now, more than ever, we all need to focus on taking care of our own health — physical, mental and emotional — as well as that of our loved ones,” he wrote.
Yoga in the confines of your own home
While some of the aforementioned apps also feature Yoga routines, the folks behind the Down Dog Yoga app are taking it one step further for kids and educators.
In addition to making all of its related fitness apps completely free until April 1, the company announced it would be offering extended access for all students and teachers (K-12 and college) until July 1. For more information visit downdogapp.com/schools.