Home (self) Improvement
So naturally, I had major plans of becoming the next Massy Arias (@massy.arias on IG, hey girl!) this Spring, but like many of my other “reach goals” of ways to spend my time, I may be a little behind schedule. I was planning to go to the gym more, exercise outdoors, try some new fitness classes like yoga, pilates and even belly dancing (maybe that will be my next Instagram video…KIDDING!)
But then, like many other plans that were drastically altered by Coronavirus, this too will have to wait. Just because my plans have changed, doesn’t mean that I can’t do anything at all. So I wanted to tell you the small ways that I’ve learned to be adaptable, adjust my plans and prioritize my health all from the comfort of my home.
My biggest piece of advice is to start simple.
- Youtube workouts are your best friend. I literally typed “easy beginner workouts” into YouTube and have been working my way through some of those videos. The best part about this? They’re free, and you can watch them as many times as you want. I try to do these workouts around 3-5 times per week, but my goal is really 5! Here are some of my favorites https://youtu.be/GS_z6FG_jqE, https://youtu.be/_r3AAdEFVNM, https://youtu.be/oVbJ-LBWgr0
- Make the most of your time outdoors. Need to go for a walk to get some fresh air or stop at the grocery store or pharmacy? Make that time count. I like to take a 30-60 minute walk every day. I try to focus on unpopulated areas due to social distancing, and speed it up! Try to get that heart rate up as best as you can. To be even more efficient, stop at the store on your way home and lift some grocery bags for a great arm workout. I live in NYC, but if you’re driving, even lifting the bags a few times on your way to the car can make a difference!
- Finally, my Peloton has been a game-changer. I’m totally aware that the Peloton is not an option for everyone, but as a doctor with crazy hours delivering babies at unpredictable times when I’m on my normal schedule, fitting in a workout quickly is so important for me so I can stay healthy for my patients and myself. I try to ride 3-5 days per week. What I will say is this Peloton has totally opened up my world to be open to fitness options from home, and that it really is possible to get an amazing workout from my living room! They also have on-demand classes that you don’t need a bike for, and until April 30th they have a 90-day free trial if you want to give it a go.
Although our plans have changed in the most unpredictable ways, if you find small changes to make and stick to them, you’ll certainly feel some mental and physical health benefits down the line. I’d love to hear what you’ve been doing to stay active from home. Send me a DM on Instagram! It’s the little things that really add up, and I know there are so many creative ways to stay active during this quarantine time.