This blog started about four years ago with the goal of helping me and others live fit, fun, and fabulous lives. Many of us search for that balance between feeling and looking great, and wanting to indulge in the fun and fabulous parts of life: memorable times with friends, scrumptious food, and great wine or other adult beverages. I explored ways to strike that balance here, and many of you came along with me. Looking back now, it was a worthy goal, but it was also a simpler time.
Before the COVID-19 crisis, I actually felt like I was finally doing a pretty good job of finding my balance. I had a regular workout routine I’d been sticking to and seeing results from, I was cooking a lot of tasty and generally healthy foods, and my wine and cocktail consumption was more occasional but still satisfying. I was feeling, looking, and living healthy, and it felt pretty great.
Then came the word I was to work from home. It made it more tempting to snack during the day, but it also cut out my commute, giving me more time for exercise and meal prep with friends. But then the bars and restaurants closed, quickly followed by thinly stocked grocery stores. Then my gym closed, and with it, the core of my fitness routine. And all of this was based on the idea that we as people weren’t supposed to be near each other anymore. No impromptu hallway chats with coworkers about cool ideas, no brunches with friends to celebrate wins or pick each other up from losses, no high fives from the other regulars at my Orangetheory from our mutual survival of a particularly grueling power day.
It has been one week of dealing with all of this sudden change. Bluntly, I didn’t handle it very well. Being knocked so quickly out of my routines resulted in my working too much, snacking too much, drinking too much, stressing too much, and sleeping far too little. And this all comes with a realization that our lives are likely to become even more restricted in the coming weeks.
We all have to acknowledge that our primary goal right now should be to fulfill our obligation to one another to act responsibly and keep each other safe. Because I have a job that is not currently threatened by the economic downturn, I also feel a sense of responsibility to look out for those less fortunate, and to always be aware that these changes, though stressful, are, in the bigger picture, rather mild…and they will pass.
But in the meantime, I need to make some changes and start building some new habits. Chatting with many of my friends, family, and coworkers, I know that others are facing similar issues and feelings. So, one of my first steps is rebooting this blog. The focus of it may change, but the spirit of it remains the same. I believe there are ways to not just survive, but thrive throughout all this. And I’m sure it will be easier if I work on this with others. So I hope you’ll not just follow along with this blog, but share your experiences, insights and resources.
I’m not sure what the coming weeks will bring, but I am certain it will be better if we bring the right attitude and support each other through it.
March 23, 2020 at 8:08 am
So glad you are bringing this blog back!
March 23, 2020 at 2:01 pm
It was like reading about my last two weeks! So happy you are talking about this. I also need to find my new routine!
March 23, 2020 at 2:34 pm
I am feeling the same challenges. It was already a struggle to get back on track earlier this year, and now the few things I was holding on to are gone. I am trying to focus on de-stressing my life by removing the strict definition of working out – ie, a 20 mins walk counts, a 30 mins yoga session counts, a 2 mile run counts. No expectations or comparison to where I was a year ago. I’m also trying to add more meditation practice in my day to calm me.
Finally, video chats with friends/family, schedule 2-3 a week to keep me connected. Group chats with friends/family are also helping me.
We’ve got this!
March 23, 2020 at 4:56 pm
Such good suggestions! I’ve also been trying to change my expectations for a workout, and looking at all the options for online, in-home workouts. They won’t substitute for a six mile run, but I need to remind myself it is ok that I shift focus a bit.