home workout

Got Three Minutes? You've Got Time to Workout

What’s your relationship with movement? It’s easy to fall into an “all-or-nothing trap.” What good is a workout if it’s not at least an hour or you’re not dripping in sweat at the end? What if I told you that “workout snacks” could enhance your quality of life and overall fitness?

Don’t discount the power of burst training when you're low on time. Here are a few real-life examples:

  • Do 10 burpees

  • Run around the yard with your dog

  • Play a game of tag with your kid

  • Take the stairs

  • Have an impromptu dance party between Zoom calls

  • Jump rope to failure

And now for the million-dollar question: how much do you need to exert yourself to get results? If you can speak comfortably but can’t quite carry a tune, that's considered "moderate." If you can only speak a few words, or none at all, that's how you know you've hit the “vigorous” territory.

Not up for something that gets your heart racing? That’s OK. An abbreviated and toned-down workout still promotes cardiac health.

Interested in learning more about how fitness can fit into your life? Contact me for a free consultation.

Staying balanced during COVID-19

We live in uncertain times right now, with anxiety concerning COVID-19 running high. It can be easy to feel like throwing in the towel and abandon our routines. After all, it’s hard to plan when we don’t know what tomorrow might bring. When I start to feel on edge, here are a few activities I turn to:

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  1. Embrace gratitude. Not only does it feel good emotionally to reflect on the good things, it can boost our immune system.  Whether it’s just setting aside a few minutes to think about all the positive things in your life or in the world or sitting down to engage a formal journaling practice, there’s a lot to gain from this exercise.

  2. Move. Right now your fitness routine is probably on hiatus, or at  the very least it’s been modified. That’s OK! I went for a hike yesterday and although it was gloomy, it felt amazing to get some fresh air. You can also find free home workouts on YouTube. From barre to yoga, it’s all there! Here are some other tips from ACE Fitness on getting the most from a home workout. 

  3. Rest: Life is about yin and yang. Sometimes it’s the occasion to be active and sometimes it’s appropriate to rest. I know I've slept more in the last week or so because all my social engagements have been cancelled or postponed. If you’re having trouble in this area, I highly recommend this blog.

  4. Explore. Is there a home-based hobby you’ve been meaning to try or take to the next level? I started Rosetta Stone a few months ago to learn Italian and plan to pick up the pace there. Maybe baking? Reading?

  5. Nurture. It’s especially critical that you maintain a healthy, balanced diet right now. While I can't give specific advice, I can tell you that fruits and vegetables are nutrient rich and can boost immunity. Reset the urge to eat a lot of processed foods.

  6. Check in. In-personal interaction might be on hold, but phone calls, texts, video chat, and letters are not banned. Stay in touch with friends and family, especially those without a strong support network. 

  7. Lend a hand. So many nonprofit organizations are in need of donations right now. If you can spare some money, I highly recommend giving what you can. I know the American Red Cross is experiencing a blood supply shortage, so you might consider donating in that capacity.

Stay healthy and balanced, friends! We’re in this together.