Three Ways to Avoid “The Quarantine Fifteen”

It will happen before you know it. You’re at home all day everyday watching tv and just snacking constantly. You are not really doing any physical activity at all during the day. The drastic increase in the consumption of unhealthy foods combined with decreased physical activity is going to lead to some serious weight gain. With the quarantine now being extended until the end of April, continuing to do nothing will add more than an unhealthy fifteen pounds to your frame. Life has thrown this curveball at all of us. Again, you can choose to make excuses or find a way to make things happen. Adjustments have to be made during this time. I’m use to going to the gym and training. I know that I am not able to fully replicate what I can do inside the gym at home. But that leaves me with no excuse. I must find a way to get it done. The struggle is real for all of us. The key is that we must be intentional about our health and fitness. Believe it or not, you can come out of this better than when you went in. Most people have the same excuse for why they cannot workout, time. Now, that is no longer a factor. You just need to set aside time to make it happen. I am going to help you brainstorm and give you three things you can do to help avoid the quarantine fifteen.

• Exercise Indoors: If you have exercise equipment at home that has been collecting dust, now is the time to use it. Get those clothes off of your treadmill and start walking on in. You know what, you can even put it in front of a tv so that you can literally walk while watching your favorite shows. You can also order equipment online and have it delivered right to your front door. You do not need a complete home gym. Just order some fitness bands and a few dumbbells. Right now, there are a lot of home gym programs being offered online for free. Pick one, see what equipment you will need, and order it. There are programs that do not require you to have any equipment. You can use your own body weight. Find one that will fit you and get after it. Reach out to people you know who exercise and they can point you in the right direction. There is literally not excuse to why you cannot workout indoors. Again, set aside a specific time and just get it done.

• Exercise Outside: It is good to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. There is so much that you can do outdoors. You can start by taking a walk through your neighborhood. If the weather allows it, this is a great activity just to get you moving. You could also go to a local park and walk the trails (going to the park is allowed in Texas anyways under this quarantine). If you have a basketball goal, take advantage of it. Go and shoot around for about an hour. That within itself is amazing cardio. Make it fun and play with your family. If you have a long flat surface, you can do wind sprints. Get creative. Just going outside and working in the yard is moving. There is so much that you can do. Use your imagination and have fun in the process.

• Dance:  My five-year-old daughter inspired this one. Last night, we were watching a lot of dance music videos (kid friendly of course) on tv and just started dancing together. We had so much fun. Before I knew it, an hour had passed and we were exhausted. It doesn’t matter if you know how to dance or not. You are in the privacy of your own home and no one can see you. You can pull up Youtube on your smart tv or cast it from your phone to the tv. Either way, put some music on and start singing and dancing. You can have Zumba in your living room. Work those hips and drop it like it’s hot (I’m talking about those pounds lol). Just try it one time and you will be hooked.

The possibility of things that you can do to keep your body moving is endless. You just have to make up your mind to do it. Make the decision today that you are going to come out of this healthier than when it all started. Instead of gaining fifteen pounds, you can lose it. Right now, you have no excuse. You have the time to get it done. We are all making the necessary adjustments and are successfully finding ways to navigate through all of this. Guess what, you can do it too. The best part about it is that if you find something that you like to do, you can keep doing it once this is all over. Your health is important and you must make it a priority. Take control of this situation. You have the power in your hands to make it happen. Now go and do it!