6 Simple Ways to Stay Active While Stuck at Home
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Friend is your activity level suffering like mine is?? It is currently day #7 of the COVID-19 self-quarantine and to be honest, I have found an endless amount of positive things during this time, however, one thing that has taken a turn for the worse is… my activity level. The pressing question today is how to stay active while stuck at home.
As a wife, mom of 4 kiddos, ranging from teenagers to a toddler, running 2 businesses, and heavily involved in my kid’s school and sports, I am an extremely busy person.
I use two calendars. My paper calendar to help me actually SEE my day, weeks and months. And my electronic calendar to help remind me and keep me on track. I rarely ever show anyone my calendar in fear of scaring them.
EXAMPLE: I was at my boy’s orthodontist consultation to get braces on his teeth. I was sitting at a desk across the table to start scheduling appointments, and she stopped me and said “Oh my gosh!” I was alarmed and asked, “what?” She said, “Look at all those colors in your calendar! And I don’t see any open spots!” I laughed and moved on… I always get it figured out. Always.
Read this post for my top tips on time management.
My calendars are (well… were) broken down into 15-minute increments and all color-coded based on who, what, where, why, and how. I was on the go, all of the time!
Then the screeching halt called the Coronavirus hit! And all of a sudden my calendar was wiped clean. Now I am not complaining, trust me, I’ve had more family dinners at my dining room table this past week than I’ve had all year… maybe the past 2 years! I truly do love this.
When you are a “Quality Time” Love Language… being stuck at home indefinitely is truly the best thing ever.
Don’t know about the “5 Love Languages”? When I learned about these, the relationships in my life changed! Especially with my husband and kids.
But I digress… the main thing I have noticed over these past 7 days how incredibly less active I am. Prior to this, I could rock 10,000 steps in a day without even trying. And now I’m lucky to do half that.
My gym is closed… my travels and daily errands are halted…
So how do I survive the COVID-19 Quarantine by staying active and not gaining weight?
No fear, my dear friend, here are some simple tips on how to stay active while at home:
Be sure to grab the FREE GUIDE which includes a daily activity tracker to help stay active!
1. Change your mindset!
- This is the most important. Yes, things are different now. You cannot go to the gym, or meet up with a friend for a run, or take your spin class.
Instead of complaining about what we cannot do,
let’s find things we CAN do!
- This is an exciting time to start thinking outside the box.
2. Get Outside!
- Now some people may completely disagree with me and are fully committed to staying inside their house until this all passes.
- But I just cannot see how being cooped up inside your house for weeks on end can be healthy for you… physically or mentally.
- We NEED Vitamin D and fresh air!
- I also am aware that it is March and living in the north doesn’t always mean the best weather. As we speak it’s 27-degree wind chill and it’s supposed to snow this weekend.
- But I will still make time to get outside, whether it’s to go for a walk to get my body moving and my daily steps in or just to get some sun on my face and fresh air in my lungs.
3. YouTube
- This is a fantastic resource LOADED with tons of options on how to stay active while at home.
- Here is a great channel I found. With 3.67 million subscribers, I’m obviously not the only one.
- Search around and find whatever is your style and what works for you. There are tons of options to choose from.
- High impact, low impact, no impact
- Walking, running, standing
- There are workouts for every person
4. Exercise Programs
- When I was raising our babies my ability to get out of the house with 2 toddlers and a newborn was tough. Most days I just didn’t want to do it. So nap time was my time to be active while at home.
- Yes, I absolutely was the proud owner of “Buns of Steel” – I mean, who wasn’t?
- But then I upped my game to “Insanity”. This program is super legit and will totally kick your butt… right from the comfort of your own home.
- This provides an entire step-by-step program along with a nutrition guide, calendar, and 10 DVDs.
5. Get some equipment
- Yes, anything from a treadmill to a spin bike to a simple exercise step, hand weights, or just a jump rope… any or all will do the trick!
- Click the links for my personal recommendations.
- You DO NOT need to spend a lot or any money to get in or stay in shape. Being active while at home should not be expensive.
- The goal is to get your heart rate level up for an extended period of time… it honestly doesn’t matter how you do it.
- I’ll tell you what, jump roping was one of the main keys to my weight loss efforts early on. Yes, a simple jump rope.
- Need shoes, clothes, or equipment? Want to get your stuff today? I know Dick’s Sporting Goods is running some great sales AND providing online orders with curbside, contactless, pick up!
- I also saw Nike was running a 25% off Sale.
Guess what? To totally remove any and all excuses you don’t need any equipment AT ALL in order to work out and stay active! You just need your body and a good attitude.
6. Roll the Dice
- Roll the Dice is a super fun way to workout. If you often find yourself getting bored with the same old routine then spice it up.
- Choose 12 different movements or exercises.
- Whether it’s all cardio, plyometrics, weight lifting, or a mixture… it doesn’t matter. Choose 12.
- Then roll the dice and get to work!
- Head over to my Pinterest Board with a bunch of my most favorite workouts you can do right from your home.
- Incorporate “Roll the Dice” into these workouts.
NOT CURRENTLY ACTIVE?
Now I do know that the longer people are stuck at home, the more bored they will get. We can only sit on the couch and watch Netflix with a bowl of ice cream for so long… at some point, that too will get boring.
Boredom usually leads to frustration. Frustration leads to decisions. Some good decisions, some bad. But decisions, overall.
Maybe you don’t currently workout and you are wanting to but just don’t know where to start!
My dear friend, I believe there is NO BETTER time than right now to start taking care of yourself and improve your health.
I mean, what else is there to do?!?
Can I let you in on a little secret?
If you’re looking to lose weight you won’t find that in the gym. While exercise plays an important role in a healthy lifestyle… the key to weight loss is found in the kitchen.
30% of weight loss is working out.
70% of weight loss is eating properly.
You cannot outwork a bad diet. Period.
If you want to learn more… then join the “Jump Start 28-Day Challenge”.
There is honestly no better time than now to jump on board!
You will learn about the program and see firsthand the before and after pictures of just some of our challengers. Like this picture here of ME!!
So, to recap the 6 ways to stay active while stuck at home:
- Change your mindset
- Get outside
- Check out YouTube
- Exercise Programs
- Get some basic equipment
- Roll the dice
I hope these ideas help you in your efforts to stay active in this very interesting time in our history.
Did I miss something? Any ideas you could add to this list? I’d love to hear!
Here’s to good health to you and yours…
xoxo, Mo
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