It is day 27 since you started social distancing. You have successfully eaten everything in your pantry and binge-watched “Tiger King” twice. What’s an extra ten pounds and a few less brain cells when you don’t have to engage with anybody?
Well, as much as we wish that the calories gained during social distancing won’t count, they do. Luckily for you, there are ways (even at home) that you can burn off those calories and come out of social distancing not looking like you just competed in a hot dog eating competition. (Unless, of course, that is your desired look. Then by all means, you do you.)
But if you are like me and you have noticed how easy it is to put on a couple extra pounds when all you are allowed to do is stay at home, then these exercise and nutrition tips from Asbury cheerleading head coach Alyssa Moberly and assistant coach Tyanne Whitworth are perfect for you.
Tip #1: Instead of snacking on foods that are high in calories and low in nutrition, snack on foods that are high in protein like almonds, avocados or your favorite fruits. This will help you to quench that snacky craving while also giving your body what it needs.
Tip #2: Find a buddy and do a workout over Zoom.
“You may look funny doing the workout, but laugh a little,” said Moberly. There are multiple workout instructors doing Zoom or Google Hangout workouts.
“The instructor interacts with the participants, and that can make it more fun,” said Whitworth.
Tip #3: If you are having trouble finding a buddy with whom to work out over Zoom, there are still other options. Whitworth recommends scanning YouTube for some at-home workouts. There is High Fitness (a fast-paced cardio dance workout) , numerous high intensity interval training workouts and even yoga.
“By using YouTube, you can exercise at your own time, whether you are a morning person or a night person,” said Whitworth.
There are a host of options for at-home exercise at your disposal, and the benefits are not just physical but also mental.
“Exercise is like eating chocolate — your body releases endorphins that tell you you are happy,” said Whitworth.
So be good to your mind and body by following these tips and staying in shape even in the middle of social distancing.