How to Stay Healthy and Active in Quarantine

Before lockdown, my days included going to class, dance team practice, the gym and work. Having my normal lifestyle disrupted and being told to stay home, unless necessary, is hard to adjust to, but I wouldn’t let this time become an excuse to sulk or become out of shape. In fact, I’ve used these weeks to take better care of my body and my health.

At-Home Workouts
I’ve seen women rave about Chloe Ting’s “Two Weeks Shred Challenge” on Youtube that includes four videos to be completed over two weeks. These women showed amazing results burning body fat, so I gave it a try. Each day I found it easier to get through one more exercise than the previous day and was pleased with my results by day 14.

After finishing that challenge, I found Sydney Cummings’ workouts. She’s tough, but I’ve seen my body more toned since I started. Her daily at-home workouts offer a variety of exercises targeting all body parts. They last from 10 to 60 minutes and use either dumbbells, resistance bands or no equipment. In addition to her motivating spirit, she adds pilates, kickboxing or HIIT (high intensity interval training) to the exercises, and she begins and ends each workout with a stretch. I finish every workout sweating, but as she reminds me in every video, “I earned that sweat!”

Creating a workout schedule is easier since I have much more time on my hands. I workout twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, five or six days a week. To make it more enjoyable, I do these workouts over FaceTime with my friend, and we both go through the pain together. Having someone to work out with, even if virtually, is motivating because you push each other. One of the hardest parts of quarantine is feeling tired throughout the day from inactivity, but exercising rejuvenates my energy.

Utilizing the Outdoors
It’s important to still get fresh air and take advantage of warm days. I’ve been taking walks around my neighborhood with my mom, and it's a great way to spend time with her while getting exercise. Running is not my forte, but it helps clear my mind, so some days I go on a quick run. Because I miss dancing, I’ll also find dance classes online and take a class outside.

Yoga
Working out doesn’t always have to be intense and sweaty. Yoga is a practice that finds peace. It’s also a workout that strengthens muscles and works on balance. Whenever I am feeling stressed, especially under these unpredictable circumstances, yoga is a stress reliever for me, because it allows me to focus on my breathing and relax.

Eating Habits
It had been a long time since I’ve eaten a homemade meal every day but I did miss them. With my busy schedule, I barely had time to make food at home. My eating schedule was also never consistent. Now that I am not eating out, my food choices are definitely healthier. I’m not buying cheap meals or rushing to eat anymore. I have time to make myself food, learn how to make new dishes, and appreciate the food on my table.

The Key to Staying Healthy
While one of my worries during quarantine was how to stay healthy, I’ve realized there are many creative ways to do so. Keeping yourself motivated and staying on schedule is key. It’s important to find the positives of what you can do rather than the things you can’t do.