By: Lucas Zamora
As fast as the COVID-19 has spread to our community, so has the closing of many gyms, including FIU’s Wellness & Recreation Centers. Although it’s for the better of our health and loved ones, missing out on gains and being able to keep fit at the gym might convince you to just curl up into a couch and binge Tiger King or the new season of Money Heist. However, not all hope is lost. Exercise is essential to the body and helps us stay healthy, especially with this virus going around. Even without the gym and being stuck at home, there are many ways to be able to stay fit, healthy, and swole.
First of all, let's address what exactly do you need in order to stay fit. Aim for at least 30 minutes a day of cardio along with strength training. You should set your goal to be able to run or walk for at least half an hour along with any at home workout you have so that you can stay lean and also build muscle. Some home workouts that you can do to built up strength consist of pushups, pull-ups, squats etc. Considering that most people don’t have a gym equipment at home, these strength workouts use little to no tools and are body weight based. One of my personal favorites is a high intensity plate workout. (Plate workout shown below.)
Finding workouts that you can do with the equipment you have at home can help you adapt to the new setting. You can use anything! Water bottles, laundry detergent bottles- it might feel funny at first! It may be different from what you are used to but try to not replicate the gym environment. Doing so will only cause you to feel as if something is missing and not allow you to work out comfortably.
Another big factor is diet and eating habits. With all the worry that comes from this pandemic, you may find yourself eating a little more than what are used to. Although it may feel good to snack on your favorite sweet, remember to also limit yourself and maintain a eating schedule. Especially with more time on our hands at home, people may tend to eat whenever they get a bit hungry or have a craving they may want to satisfy. It’s important to eat meals every so often through the day instead of snacking time to time. Previous FIU Trainer and student, Enzo Hoyos, states that, “Honestly when it comes to maintaining my overall physical capacity through this, the one thing I’ve tried to place the main focus on is to not allow myself to eat my anxiety away. During times like these people such as myself that have a potentially toxic relationship with food are prone to binge eating more than ever before, be it due to boredom, anxiety, stress, the list is endless.” Quarantine may make you uncomfortable in many ways, but the important thing is to not take it out by eating and snacking. Focus more on eating 3-2 large meals a day, cutting out any empty calories and unhealthy foods.
Finally, the best way that helps to stay fit is to get others involved. Although you can try to help fix your diet and manage to workout without much equipment, there may be days that you’ll feel unmotivated and stuck in bed. Scrolling through your phone more and more will only lower your ability to be able to stay healthy. To fix this, have your family and friends get involved to. There are many ways to be able to workout with others even when separated. Plus, exercising with others can make it more fun and keep you accountable. FIU offers online sessions where you can sign up and log on with others to workout. Some of these sessions that are listed are zumba classes, core training, hiit workouts and many, many more. Making sure that others are in check and staying healthy can allow you to be able to stay healthy and not slip into lazy habits.
Hopefully, with these tips and tricks, you and your family will be able to get and stay fit and healthy throughout and well after this pandemic. You're never too old or too young to start building up habits that fit your life.
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