Don’t Let COVID-19 Closures Stop You

With fitness centers, parks, and group classes closing, your motivation to get up and moving may have taken a turn for the worst (don’t worry it’s happened to the rest of us, too). You're probably missing your workout buddy, the clanking of weights at the gym, or the fresh air while running laps. Don’t give up yet! There are many ways to stay active, and it’s become more important than ever during the coronavirus. If you’re working from home (which many of us are), you may have found yourself sitting in front of a computer screen for prolonged hours at a time. No worries, your tired eyes and aching neck can be fixed by taking a break to walk or stretch!

Why Exercise is Essential

Even though our regular workout regime has been disturbed, it’s important not to skip your sessions (and yes, I know how tempting it is). Exercise can boost your immune system, relieve stress, improve sleep, and help lower blood pressure. Working out in your living room may not be the right fit for you, and that’s okay. Find something that works for you.

The Right Fit For You

There are millions of fitness Youtube videos, blogs, and apps. You could even build your own home gym and start practicing yoga or boxing! If you’re missing the community that exercise brings, then online workouts aren’t going to click for you. Taking a walk with your significant other, joining your kids outside, or going for a bike ride with your friends are small ways to increase activity in your day.

Personally, I enjoy the camaraderie that a group workout creates. With North Carolina entering into Phase 3, you could look into those classes at your local gym, or if you’re not comfortable yet, you could try a virtual group session. Don’t be deterred from trying something new -- now is the time to find what you really connect with.

Dr. Mark Vellan has taken this advice to heart, and joined a workout group for men called F3, which stands for Fitness, Faith, and Fellowship. This group is active in Greenville, NC and completely free. F3 workouts are led outdoors with new and exciting exercises every week (they recently incorporated “Pumpkin Pickers” in light of fall where you do a set of deadlifts, curls, and overhead presses). If Dr. Vellan in Greenville, NC has found his exercise niche, so can you (if you have any more questions about F3 feel free to ask him)!

Bottom Line

So, my point is: stay active, you may even find that the friendships you build trying something new is what gets you through the rest of this pandemic! The MOST important thing is finding what works for you and sticking to it.

https://www.f3enc.com/this-is-f3/