Creating a Quarantine Workout Plan
Creating a Quarantine Workout Plan
Article by Ashley Alvarado, Graphic by Dana Dang
With quarantine laws and social distancing in place, gyms everywhere have been temporarily closed. Even though this is heartbreaking news for gym junkies everywhere, working towards your health and fitness is still a reality. Not only is summer just around the corner, but being active right now is vital to feeling your best. That being said, here’s how to reach your fitness goals under quarantine:
No gym? No problem.
As sad as it is to hear the gyms are closed, there are other options you can choose from when finding your ideal workout.
Go running!
There may be laws in place for you to stay at home, but you can still go outside for a nice jog. Doctors also recommend for people to spend at least one hour outside, so going for a run is a great option to help you get your daily dose of vitamin D.
Search on YouTube for workout videos to follow along to
Thanks to YouTube, there are many free videos you can look up to find your workout. Various fitness trainers have uploaded their workout videos you can follow along to! This is perfect if you want an at home workout that requires no workout machines.
Meditate to yoga
If you have been stressed, yoga may be the perfect option for you. This is another great option for at home workouts. You can either find a routine to follow along on YouTube or create your own.
Dance
Dancing is another excellent exercise you can do if you want a good at home workout! Create or look up music playlists you can dance to on Spotify to get moving. Dancing is an intense full body workout that can be so fun, you won’t even realize how many calories you’re burning.
Figure out what your goals and body type are
Knowing what your body type and fitness goals are will determine what kind of workout you should be doing. There are three different body types:
Endomorph: Curvy, naturally fuller figure
Mesomorph: More athletic figure
Ectomorph: Slimmer figure
If you’re still unsure about what body type you are, take this quiz! Once you have researched your body type, set goals for you to achieve based on what your body needs. If you want bigger muscles, focus more on heavy weights with less repetition. If you want lean and toned muscles, focus more on light weights with more repetition. And if you want to shed fat, get your heart rate up with a cardio-based workout. Keep in mind, your body is still beautiful no matter what fitness stage you are in, and the most important thing is to feel your best from the inside.
Your diet is important
Of course, exercising will help you reach your fitness goals, but that is not the only factor. Ensuring you eat a healthy, well-balanced diet is crucial to seeing results and feeling good on the daily. Eating healthy is difficult, but doable. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to do something drastic with your diet. Doctors actually recommend staying away from fad diets and stick to cutting out junk foods, while still keeping a good balance of healthy meals and indulgent treats. The simple things you do actually go a long way.
Move any junk foods that may tempt you to a place that’s harder to get to. Instead of having a package of your favorite cookies in a visible place (like the counter, for example), move them to a cupboard or drawer that’s not as easily seen. Then, replace the times you would be snacking on Oreos with nutritious substitutes, like sliced apples and peanut butter with a few chocolate chips or raisins on top. Find a way to make eating healthy fun! There are tons of recipes on Pinterest you can use to make fun and healthy meals and snacks. Nevertheless, it is okay to treat yourself with your favorite junk foods once in a while! Enjoying a box of pizza every now and then can greatly benefit your mental health.
Consistency is key
Pursuing your fitness goals isn’t an easy task. This is where being mentally tough comes into play. Binge-watching Netflix shows all day with your favorite snacks may be tempting, but you have to remain mentally strong and disciplined. Prioritizing your fitness goals and making the active decision to stick your exercise routine and diet will go a long way. When you force yourself to do the things you don’t want to do but will benefit you in the long run, you are practicing self-love. Work to take care of and improve yourself because you are strong and beautiful, and want to live a healthier life. If you set your heart and mind to it, you can accomplish anything.
Thumbnail & Header Photo courtesy of Derick McKinney via Unsplash