Beating Pandemic Fatigue With the Right Exercise Regimen
Beating Pandemic Fatigue With the Right Exercise Regimen
Months following the first lockdown protocols, thousands of home-dwellers are finding it a challenge to get back into the swing of things—that includes regular exercise. Once a force of habit, a 3-mile jog seems to now be a daunting task—but don’t fret. Even a quick walk around the block or a ten-minute squat session will suffice. If you’re ready to jump back into your regular fitness routine, consider the following helpful tips.
Will Exercising Prevent You From Contracting COVID-19?
While it isn’t a foolproof prevention method, physical activity can improve aspects of your mental, physical, and emotional health, thus giving your immune system a much-needed boost. By reducing stress and anxiety, regular exercise can induce better sleep and prevent burnout.
Nowadays, trying times are getting the best of us, and without easy access to our regular fitness training sessions, we turn to new methods of keeping our energy up. Instead of turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms, getting back into the habit of working out can raise your spirits.
To get the exercise you need, try out the following:
Get Outside if it’s Safe
If possible, take a walk, jog, or ride your bike around the neighborhood, making sure to keep your distance. After spending too much time cooped up indoors, getting a whiff of fresh air and a bit of sunshine can rejuvenate the body.
Engage in Regulated Social Activities
If you’re quarantined with family or friends, get them in on your daily routine. If you consider yourself a homebody, engage in a bout of online Zumba or HIIT with your roommates.
If you consider yourself a gamer, put on the occasional run of Dance Dance Revolution or digital sports. You’ll never know the magic of peer motivation until you give it a shot!
Keep Track of Your Workouts
Nothing says “progression” like an exercise diary. Use a fitness tracker, mobile app, or journal to stay accountable and motivated. Noting your progress doesn’t only indicate where you should be going—it provides you with a sense of accomplishment.
Incorporate Movement into Your Routine
Being housebound can limit your ability to move around enough to count a trip to the bathroom as “exercise.” However, you can inject a touch of physical activity into household chores.
Pick up the pace when scrubbing, sweeping, or vacuuming to engage your arm muscles. Indulge yourself in a few jumping jacks or squats in between commercial breaks to your favorite show. Practice your latest yoga pose while waiting for the delectable ding of the dinner oven.
How Much Physical Activity Do You Need During Lockdown?
As far as quarantine setups go, some exercise is better than none. While there is no magic number, most fitness trainers will recommend at least 150 minutes of movement a week. If you’re not a math whiz, that’s 30 minutes a day for five days out of your week. Depending on your preferences, you can break up your sessions to accommodate more or fewer days.
Conclusion
Even during the best of times, staying motivated isn’t an easy feat. To remind you of an upcoming session, upload it to your schedule the way you would a business meeting. Then, reward yourself! There’s no shame in celebrating little victories with a long bubble bath, movie marathon, or fruit smoothie.
At the Fit Factor in Wellesley, our one-on-one fitness trainers are ready to serve—and safely. For something to stick to, we create tailored programs that act as blueprints for your success.
Chad has been my personal trainer for over 10 years. He is very dedicated and resourceful as a trainer. I would highly recommend Chad. He has kept my body healthy through all these years and in my 50s. Chad is also very accommodating to working with your schedule. Wouldn't go anywhere else.
I love working out with Chad! I have been working out with him for the past year and a half and have had the best results compared with other trainers. Chad’s dedication to his clients, humor, warmth and expertise are a winning combination. I look forward to our sessions and always leave feeling stronger, more flexible and energetic. I highly recommend Chad.
I have been working with Chad (the trainer) for almost three years now and have gone through an amazing transformation! He bonds greatly with his clients and is a very qualified trainer. He tailors workouts to individual clients and has helped me perform better as an equestrian and achieve my physique goals. If you are looking for a great one-on-one trainer, I would highly recommend.
When I started going to the fit factor I went in thinking I had a pretty good knowledge of weight lifting and exercise without having much to improve. I was so wrong! Chad was incredible and really took the time to explain and show proper technique as well as a variety of different exercises that I had never done before. I now have much more confidence in my form and have a really great and well rounded routine. Additionally, Chad catered to my personal goals and really listened to what I wanted to accomplish. I cannot recommend The fit factor and Chad enough!
I have been weight lifting for over five years but have never had dedicated instruction from a trainer. Chad was able to notice where my form was failing and correct it immediately. He also guided me towards effective exercises so that I could keep achieving my goals and moving up. After a couple of months of working with him I was able to see some great results. Chad knows his stuff!
Chad has been great with not only the types of specialized workouts each session but also with checking in after the sessions. He has a real passion for seeing people make big health changes; which makes it fun. Would highly recommend!
I went to Chad looking to get back in shape and lose weight, which had crept up from working long hours. Chad was super patient and non-judgmental. We started at a level where I would see results but not get so sore or so disappointed at what I could not do it. He focused on what I could do if I pushed myself hard and taught me that step/skill building was an integral part of the process. We also talked about nutrition and self-care. As other reviews have mentioned, he cares about his clients beyond the appointment time, and wants them to make positive change to their lives that will stick. I lost 30+ pounds and I am in the best shape of my life. I have been able to maintain this for 2 years. He taught me how to create a sustainable workout plan. Even during the pandemic I was able to maintain my weight and my fitness level thanks for his frequent check-ins and the solid fitness base we created through his work and fitness mentorship. I highly recommend him!
I started with Chad in August 2020, my first semester of college was cancelled and i needed something active to do. At that point I was a small underweight kid looking to gain muscle and gain weight. I went to Chad 3 times a week until late January 2021. Those 5 months were great, I really enjoyed going to chad and it was the highlight of my week and something I would look forward to going to 3 times every week. Throughout this time Chad has perfected my form on workouts and had a great and unique workout for me everytime. I went in weighing 125 pounds at 5’10 and now I weigh 150 pounds after the five months. Not only did Chad give workouts but he also gave me a diet for me to follow so I could maximize my time with him. He really personalizes workouts for each person. Currently i’m in the best shape of my life and am super confident in my body. GO TO FIT-FACTOR!!