As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, daily schedules and fitness routines have been thrown for a loop!
The situation is serious, and there are certainly bigger fish to fry than a few missed workouts, though we love to see the way the fitness industry and personal training is adapting. We are incredibly proud to be a part of the global OPEX Gyms community. The support provided to us as an OPEX licensed gym from not only OPEX HQ, but the other OPEX Gyms as well has allowed us to continue to keep our clients active. OPEX Gyms all over the world are lending equipment, programming home and outdoor workouts, and providing even more consults for all of our clients to get us all through these uneasy times.
For today’s blog, we found it appropriate to address lifestyle and behaviors more broadly than just workouts. With schedules upended and so many working from home, there has never been a more important time to create a rhythm within this new environment and strive for progress in areas you can control.
One mantra we are reminding ourselves of is this: Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated every day.
Why? The honest truth is that now is most likely not the time for radical overhauls to your fitness and nutrition. There is already enough instability going on in the day to day, and sweeping changes may only be an additional stressor. Additional stressors can actually lead to a decrease in overall health.
However, we do all have the power and the bandwidth to adapt to a new environment by making a few small behavior changes and repeating them, day after day. Our bodies and minds love consistency, so create it where you are able.
Be sure to hold on to what is feasible inside your regular routine and repeat it daily. An easy place to start is to keep your wake and sleep times consistent, take a shower, get dressed, eat meals at the same time, and try to keep your daily movement at the time when you’d normally hit the gym, and will again hopefully soon.
Next, build on your routine with small, repeatable efforts. These lifestyle habits are not quick fixes, but will have an incredibly powerful effect on your health when implemented consistently over a long period of time.
Replace your commute with a 15 minute morning walk in the sun
Prepare your lunch in the kitchen and include lean protein, a vegetable, and a healthy fat
Aim to add an extra 5 seconds to your plank hold each week while you do your at-home workout
Continue to work on getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night
Have a goal to drink ½ your bodyweight in oz of water every day
Eat your meals away from your workspace, even outside in the sun or with a loved one
Take 5 minutes to meditate and breathe
Try adding just one of these at a time. Once you are comfortable with it, add another. Amidst the chaos, they will create structure and help you continue to move forward.
When you look back a year from now, you’ll be amazed by what the habits you have created, and the progress you have made.
If you are looking for a great resource on habit building, be sure to check out Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Even with our facility closing, OPEX Franklin coaches are continuing to help our clients through challenging times. Reach out to us today and you’ll find a strong network to support you through tough times and out the other side.
