Covid Silver lining?
hrod215
Posts: 163 Member
Is anyone taking advantage of the time away from coworkers, the daily hustle and bustle, and people in general, to reset your fitness goals?
Last July, I left a somewhat toxic job for a better job but definitely faster paced. Before leaving my previous job the stress was getting so bad I'd pretty much abandoned my healthy ways and I'd gained about 20lbs. I was trying to get back on track but it was so hard. I've been taking advantage of this time at home to focus on myself. I've started running and even meet with a trainer twice a week in my backyard (social distance of course!). I'm really trying to be close to where I was before my previous job took all my joy lol. Kinda like a Covid revenge body. 🤣🤣
Last July, I left a somewhat toxic job for a better job but definitely faster paced. Before leaving my previous job the stress was getting so bad I'd pretty much abandoned my healthy ways and I'd gained about 20lbs. I was trying to get back on track but it was so hard. I've been taking advantage of this time at home to focus on myself. I've started running and even meet with a trainer twice a week in my backyard (social distance of course!). I'm really trying to be close to where I was before my previous job took all my joy lol. Kinda like a Covid revenge body. 🤣🤣
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Replies
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Not really reset my goals, but working from home since mid March has given me more time to be active, my step count has gone way up.5
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My running coach made the most of lockdown and adjusted my programme to build my aerobic base. So. Much. Running.
The result, I’m so much fitter and faster than I’ve ever been. Looking forward to my first race in September to get a true sense of how much I’ve improved.8 -
No chg for me.
Was living & exercing @ home alone b4 the crisis and still doing the same now.
Daily routine involves rowing 5k meters/day on my C2 rower w/some lifting in the garage and circuit training type exercises (like battle ropes, tire flipping, sledge hammers and sled push/pulls) in the backyard, when I have the extra energy to do them.
Still cal counting w/MFP and weighing myself daily and maintaining my wt at 155 +/- 5# BMI 22-24) and BF bet 10-15% as measured by DEXA and hydro.2 -
It's had the opposite affect for me, I used to walk to work and now that I'm at home and don't need to walk anywhere I haven't been doing so and I regained weight as a consequence. I also did a weekly aerobics class which had to stop.
I've tried doing different things but exercising on my own doesn't work and I just can't get motivated.7 -
I just wanted to say congrats for taking back your life! I've been walking a lot out in Nature and it's a pretty healing thing for the soul. I get it about leaving a job that had sucked the joy out of life.
Never again on that, right? Good for you.
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Jackie9003 wrote: »It's had the opposite affect for me, I used to walk to work and now that I'm at home and don't need to walk anywhere I haven't been doing so and I regained weight as a consequence. I also did a weekly aerobics class which had to stop.
I've tried doing different things but exercising on my own doesn't work and I just can't get motivated.
This. I didn't walk to work but did take spin classes 3x a week, walk with a friend during lunch break, etc. I have a spin bike but without the instructor pushing and the class for motivation it just isn't the same. My gym has no plans to reopen any time soon.
But even if it did, since it's near my office (also closed) I probably wouldn't go there for a 5:30 AM class just to turn around and drive back home. 2 -
It's not massively affected exercise however it has had a positive impact on food. It's so much easier to eat well without social pressures cake in the staffroom etc.3
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Early on I was exercising more. But now I’m exercising about the same amount as I did before. Getting steps is difficult.3
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I’m still looking😜😜😜1
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No, I've actually been super busy at work, just having to do it mostly at home, isolated. I wish this meant more free time.2
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I was going in the wrong direction before Covid started. But working from home, going out for a walk once a day to avoid cabin fever turned into 2 walks and 3 walks turned into longer walks (now 6-8 miles a day). Eating all meals at home as opposed to out has meant smaller portions and more precision since I can use the food scale. Down 20 lbs as of today.11
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All you can eat buffets were always my biggest weakness. Always had to eat my money's worth. Even limiting visits to once or twice a month could easily destroy my fitness plans. Having buffets removed as an option has really helped me to stay on track. Thank you Covid-19.6
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Yep me. Exercising more. Walking more (gotta get out of the house every day) and have time to track/weigh better.5
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No, I've actually been super busy at work, just having to do it mostly at home, isolated. I wish this meant more free time.
This is something I struggled with when I started working from home. I was getting on earlier and staying on later. I had to make the decision to create boundaries. If I wake up at 7 or 8am, I'll do a quick run or workout and just enjoy some me time before logging on. Or I'll shut down at exactly 5 or 6, make dinner then do a run or workout. It's tough to draw the line when they are blurred. It's just like making the time to workout, it has to come from oneself. Best of luck.5 -
All you can eat buffets were always my biggest weakness. Always had to eat my money's worth. Even limiting visits to once or twice a month could easily destroy my fitness plans. Having buffets removed as an option has really helped me to stay on track. Thank you Covid-19.
Yes, the office freebies were always tough to pass up! I have kids and still get tempted but I make my husband hide the snacks so I dont go foraging lol!0 -
richardgavel wrote: »I was going in the wrong direction before Covid started. But working from home, going out for a walk once a day to avoid cabin fever turned into 2 walks and 3 walks turned into longer walks (now 6-8 miles a day). Eating all meals at home as opposed to out has meant smaller portions and more precision since I can use the food scale. Down 20 lbs as of today.
Love the self-care! Congrats to you.1 -
Jackie9003 wrote: »It's had the opposite affect for me, I used to walk to work and now that I'm at home and don't need to walk anywhere I haven't been doing so and I regained weight as a consequence. I also did a weekly aerobics class which had to stop.
I've tried doing different things but exercising on my own doesn't work and I just can't get motivated.
I'm definitely missing my lifting sessions at the gym. I never got around to getting my home gym up to date and now I'm just trying to make due with body weight and lower weight/higher rep exercises. I also need a swift kick in the pants and luckily my old trainer took me on as a client again. It helped me get focused again.2 -
Not having to commute and having more flexibility in my work hours has allowed me to exercise more--more than I can probably sustain whenever I go back to a classroom, but great for now. I was able to add a 2nd walk to my usual workout of running and walking after work. I've enjoyed the time and love being home; I'm a natural hermit. I know this time has been very difficult for others, so I don't talk about my opposite experience very much. It does make me look forward to retirement a lot more than before, too; I didn't know what I'd do with myself. Now I do--outside a LOT, kayaking, walking/hiking/running, training my dogs. I'll be ok.5
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Not having to commute and having more flexibility in my work hours has allowed me to exercise more--more than I can probably sustain whenever I go back to a classroom, but great for now. I was able to add a 2nd walk to my usual workout of running and walking after work. I've enjoyed the time and love being home; I'm a natural hermit. I know this time has been very difficult for others, so I don't talk about my opposite experience very much. It does make me look forward to retirement a lot more than before, too; I didn't know what I'd do with myself. Now I do--outside a LOT, kayaking, walking/hiking/running, training my dogs. I'll be ok.
It's perfectly okay to be able to find the silver lining in all of this craziness. I know there's a bit of "survivor's guilt" involved but for one's mental health, everyone should be proud of being able find something positive. Good on you for being able to do that!4 -
No, I've actually been super busy at work, just having to do it mostly at home, isolated. I wish this meant more free time.
This is something I struggled with when I started working from home. I was getting on earlier and staying on later. I had to make the decision to create boundaries. If I wake up at 7 or 8am, I'll do a quick run or workout and just enjoy some me time before logging on. Or I'll shut down at exactly 5 or 6, make dinner then do a run or workout. It's tough to draw the line when they are blurred. It's just like making the time to workout, it has to come from oneself. Best of luck.
Yeah, ultimately I've tried to put harder limits around non work times than when I was going into work. I work less on the weekends (although more on the weekdays, and that's not always the case, as I'm working both weekend days this week). I have times during which I don't check my emails. I'm also doing the "me time, including some exercise" before working hours start. It's unfortunate, though, that work is just crazy and has been since April (March I didn't work as much for the last week and a half when we stayed home). I had been planning to take a vacation during that part of March and did not, and right now I feel like I will never have a vacation again.
Um, oh, right, silver lining, I've gotten more comfortable using my grill, and I do have a great veg garden this year.2 -
No, I've actually been super busy at work, just having to do it mostly at home, isolated. I wish this meant more free time.
This is something I struggled with when I started working from home. I was getting on earlier and staying on later. I had to make the decision to create boundaries. If I wake up at 7 or 8am, I'll do a quick run or workout and just enjoy some me time before logging on. Or I'll shut down at exactly 5 or 6, make dinner then do a run or workout. It's tough to draw the line when they are blurred. It's just like making the time to workout, it has to come from oneself. Best of luck.
Yeah, ultimately I've tried to put harder limits around non work times than when I was going into work. I work less on the weekends (although more on the weekdays, and that's not always the case, as I'm working both weekend days this week). I have times during which I don't check my emails. I'm also doing the "me time, including some exercise" before working hours start. It's unfortunate, though, that work is just crazy and has been since April (March I didn't work as much for the last week and a half when we stayed home). I had been planning to take a vacation during that part of March and did not, and right now I feel like I will never have a vacation again.
Um, oh, right, silver lining, I've gotten more comfortable using my grill, and I do have a great veg garden this year.
Ahhhh, vacation. A word I MISS! Every little bit counts, I think you're doing great considering what's going on out there. I wish I had a green thumb!1 -
Nope, essential business worker here so been in the office (never closed). I do take a nightly walk as my kids aren't busy with sports or activities like they usually are.0
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I would’ve never thought this could happen but I reached below my goal! And still going - about a total loss of about 15-20 lbs! All home cooking, followed a structured program, exponentially increased NEAT! I shocked myself but happy.1
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