We live in unusual times. Being quarantined might be the opportunity you’ve always wanted. In fact, even if you didn’t want an opportunity to get and stay fit during quarantine, there’s nothing else to do, so why not? Why not experiment with healthy dishes and start on a daily fitness routine. If you want the wild life, why not settle on wildlife viewing instead and go for hikes and walks in the park. Most people say that they’d get fit if they only had the time, now is the time. Even if you’re working from home, your day is cut shorter by lack of commuting and your work clothes are now workout clothes, so there’s no wasted time trying to decide what to wear.
You don’t have to have a gym, you can do bodyweight exercises.
Bodyweight exercises require no equipment, except the one you have with you at all times, your body. The good news is that it only gets stronger the more you use it and instead of wearing out. Push-ups, pull-ups, lunges and squats are just a few of the bodyweight exercises that build muscle and strength. Stretches and other types of calisthenics are great flexibility workouts.
Get your heart pumping with a HIIT—high intensity interval training—workout.
Whether you go for a walk or do calisthenics, how you do it makes a big difference in its effectiveness. HIIT workouts involve going at top intensity for a few minutes and then spending equal time or longer at a slower recovery rate. The high intensity section should boost your heart rate to 70 to 90% of maximum rate with the recovery level lowering it back to 60 to 65%. HIIT workouts get your heart in shape quicker, improves your breathing and lung function and burns tons of calories. It helps stabilize your blood pressure and level your blood sugar.
Start eating healthier and learn to cook healthier.
What a great time to opt for healthier eating. You have time at home to babysit the beef roast as it or hang around while the sprouted bread rises. Eating healthier can become an adventure that turns to an avocation or hobby. You’ll be amazed at how good healthy food tastes, especially when you made it yourself. You may even start a program of meal prep and plan meals and make them for the whole week, with some left to freeze for later, when you’re busy.
- Just walking can improve your fitness and even your mood. Fresh air and sunshine are necessary to keep you healthy and a walk in the park or other natural setting can bring a sense of calm.
- You can use common everyday objects to replace exercise equipment. Soup cans and detergent bottles filled with sand or water can replace weights. A broomstick can be used alone or double as a barbell with a weight added to each end, like a backpack. A milk jug can double as a kettlebell.
- If you want to have more variety and use inexpensive equipment, try resistance bands or a stability ball. Doorway pull-up bars can also be $20 or less. Use the real stair for a stair stepper machine.
- Create a schedule and stick with it. Not only will you get more done, you’ll be more likely to stick with a program of exercise. If you’re working at home, schedule a five-minute break every hour to get up and move, whether it’s doing jumping jacks or just walking around.
For more information, contact us today at Next Level Fitness!