PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Staying Lean in Quarantine.
BUILT TO MOVE
Our bodies are designed to move and exercise, so it's no surprise that an inactive lifestyle is taking a toll on our health. Accepted by most health experts in the industry, a recommended 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days a week is adequate. This can be done in less days for a total of 150 minutes per week or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week. It is also recommended to participate in resistance training at least two days a week.
WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR HEALTH
In a French survey during the lockdown, of the 37,252 French questioned 53% reported an overall decrease in their physical activity level. 35% reported an increase in weight in just a few short weeks with an average of about 4 pounds gained (Reyes-Olavarría, Latorre-Román, Guzmán-Guzmán, Jerez-Mayorga, Caamaño-Navarrete, & Delgado-Floody, 2020).
Prior to COVID-19, the largest epidemic of our concern was obesity. In the midst of a pandemic, we cannot avoid the real threat that obesity is.
RETHINKING EXERCISE
With the closing of gyms and fitness studios, most people were lost with how to keep up with their exercise routine. Most people don't have accessibility to workout equipment in the comfort of their home, and even though gyms are now open, a second shutdown could be in front of us, and we need to be prepared.
So, how do we do it?
GO OUTSIDE
One of the easiest way to get moving and motivated about exercise is to go outside.
According to the same French study, there has been a fall in energy expenditure and outdoor physical activity since the start of the pandemic (Reyes-Olavarría, Et Al., 2020).
According to the CDC, parks and trails are the perfect opportunity to get outside and engage in physical activity. Hiking is considered vigorous physical activity too (Guidance for Administrators in Parks and Recreational Facilities, 2020).
No equipment needed. Just take your legs and get walking.
BRINGING THE GYM TO YOU WITH ONE CLICK
take advantage of the thousands of at-home workouts available online
Depending on where you live, a park or trail may be out of reach. Youtube isn't. There are endless at-home workouts available to you online.
Home workouts provide a safe environment for you to engage in exercise during COVID, and recent studies in China show that they can improve immunity, delay decline from aging, and improve cardiopulmonary functions (Pu, Zhang, Tang, & Qi, 2020).