Quarantining may make you feel like fitness is out of the question with gyms being closed, and you may think you have nothing to do but watch another episode of Netflix. With the future being uncertain, here are simple ways to stay fit at home.
- Start Small
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If you’ve been out of practice for a while or have just decided to start your own fitness journey, don’t try to do everything at once. Meeting long term goals is linked to small changes a little at a time. Don’t think you have to cut out all sweets and carbs and run eight miles every day. It won’t last, and you can actually harm your body if you do too much too fast. Try small things like taking a walk in the mornings or snacking on fruit instead of chips.
- Keep your diet in check
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Easy ways to keep yourself from going overboard include limiting snacks, eating on a plate (not out of the bag), and incorporating fruits and vegetables into every meal. You don’t have to be super strict or even restrict certain things. It simply means making small changes for consistent, balanced eating.
- Get enough sleep.
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This may sound super easy to you all, but I said enough, not too much. Seven to eight hours of sleep is important, but anything over that is linked to various health complications. It may be hard to get up in the morning, but keeping a regular sleep schedule is important for both physical and mental health.
- Keep a routine.
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A regular exercise routine helps you stay on track and develop a regular habit of exercise. This can be as simple as taking a walk or jog at the same time every day to ensure you do some form of activity. (I like working out in the morning to ensure I fit it into my day.)
- Try something new.
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Without your regular gym equipment, now is the perfect time to challenge yourself to something new. Bodyweight workouts can be just as effective as your regular gym sessions, so you can easily make progress at home. I recommend downloading a fitness app so you can follow along with trainers. (I love FitOn and PopSugar)
- Challenge yourself.
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Home workouts can be just as hard as an intense gym session if done correctly. It’s easy to slack off or fake a workout when you have no accountability. Push yourself like you would at the gym or with a group so you get the most out of your workouts.
- Stay Active All Day.
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Working out is great, but if you sit on the couch for the rest of the day, you won’t make much progress. Try to stay active all day by constantly moving. Take a walk. Play with your dog. Clean the house. Do some yard work.
- Forgive and forget.
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If you miss a workout or maybe eat a little too much, forgive yourself and forget about it. Staying fit isn’t about being perfect every day. It’s about keeping your emotions, mental and physical health in check and progressing towards a healthier version of yourself.