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New fitness habits being created during Covid?

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Re: New fitness habits being created during Covid?

#61

The only people I know who seem to feel really good about their COVID fitness levels are those who prioritized it before the pandemic and are so committed that they were willing and able to figure out alternatives. People who didn't prioritize it or struggled to get into sustainable schedules are doing poorly. Even some of my friends who had really good routines fell into pretty serious depressions at the start of it…

I think it heavily depends on the individual. Personally I've gone from nearly sedentary to running ~35 miles per week (and lost ~15 lbs in the process).

Re: New fitness habits being created during Covid?

#62
I usually walk or hike an average of one hour a day (we live 100 meters from a trailhead in the mountains). Since COVID-19, I am trying to average 90 minutes a day. I also bought weights in March and started doing more Qi Gong with my wife.

So, I am in much better shape. I also cut almost all sugar (or all types) from my diet and more or less cutting out processed food. If it isn't fresh I don't eat it.

Bil Mahr, on his HBO show, has been ranting about people needing to boost their immune systems and get healthier. I am taking health advice from a comedian :-)

Re: New fitness habits being created during Covid?

#63

The only people I know who seem to feel really good about their COVID fitness levels are those who prioritized it before the pandemic and are so committed that they were willing and able to figure out alternatives. People who didn't prioritize it or struggled to get into sustainable schedules are doing poorly. Even some of my friends who had really good routines fell into pretty serious depressions at the start of it…

Correct. In my case I was pretty worried that I'll end in a downwards spiral due to gyms being shutdown and whatnot and I did everything I can to make up for it. Before the lockdown, I was at ~10% body fat. In an attempt to not go to 24-25% as I was a few years back, I started exercising daily and with 0 intentions, I dropped down to ~6.2% body fat. I went back to the gym as soon as they re-opened and still carried on working out at home. Well... These last few days have been a struggle cause I got a dog and... He gets excited easily to put it mildly...

But that's me. There are a few people from work that live near me and one of them looks 15 years older in every way imaginable.

Re: New fitness habits being created during Covid?

#64

People are frustrated since home gym equipment is hard to find. And that's a valid frustration. However, bodyweight exercises and outdoor cardio can go a long way. Even just walking. The single most critical aspect you can control is diet. And that requires no equipment, just the right choices. WFH has thrown a big wrench into the eating habits for many. I run a nutrition application[1], and we've seen a big uptick i…

I used to use isometrics pretty heavily. That style pretty much means you do not use much equipment at all. For me it was an old sturdy chair and a heavy couch to pin my feet under. Diet for weight, exercise for strength. I used good portions of the Charles Atlas program. I skipped his diet as I was not looking for body building. Just kept myself under my 1100 caloric number (varies on height and age). Just wanted so…

I'm not a nutritionist but 1100 calories a day is very, very low for most adults. As a comparison, the Minnesota starvation study fed participants a little over 1500 calories a day.

Re: New fitness habits being created during Covid?

#65
post #31

The only people I know who seem to feel really good about their COVID fitness levels are those who prioritized it before the pandemic and are so committed that they were willing and able to figure out alternatives. People who didn't prioritize it or struggled to get into sustainable schedules are doing poorly. Even some of my friends who had really good routines fell into pretty serious depressions at the start of it…

Definitely not my experience. I was going to the gym regularly before: lifting weights and cycling. Post pandemic I've lost 5 pounds thanks to cycling outdoors, swimming outdoors, lugging heavy bags camping in the wilderness, Ring Fit, Just Dance, Box VR, Audica, Beat Saber, yoga and pilates TV shows, and first one set of resistance bands and now a second more advanced set. Started doing acroyoga with my girlfriend,…

Prior to the pandemic I had from 8 - 2 each day to work out as my kids were in school. With the kids home now its pretty difficult. Compounding this is that I cant actually take them anywhere to blow off steam, and outside time is pretty limited as its crazy hot outside (I am in the south).

The pandemic has really not been conducive to me remaining fit. Young kids complicate things massively.

Also have no friends right now and not the best time to make any... so things are going great :)

Re: New fitness habits being created during Covid?

#66

The only people I know who seem to feel really good about their COVID fitness levels are those who prioritized it before the pandemic and are so committed that they were willing and able to figure out alternatives. People who didn't prioritize it or struggled to get into sustainable schedules are doing poorly. Even some of my friends who had really good routines fell into pretty serious depressions at the start of it…

I was fat before the pandemic. I continue to be fat during the pandemic. I will be fat after the pandemic is over. Fitness is for other people. I’m doing great, thanks for asking. I drink good whiskey on my porch while I watch the bomb ass explosive sunsets that Florida is so famous for. I shoot projectile weapons into an earthen berm. I listen to my favorite synthwave playlists. I eat good food. I go to the beach. J…

Before I spent time working out more, I would turn down invites to go rockclimbing (too difficult), kayaking (too exhausting) or anything else that required exertion. My energy levels were low and my general coordination was terrible. I generally felt I couldn't work out because I'm a stereotypical nerd.

Once I realized that working out was more about regular effort than anything else, I quickly gained a lot of benefit. Pre-covid, I was mostly into weightlifting and martial arts, and these days it's a lot of bodyweight workouts and using the rowing machine but the details don't matter very much so much as being active. I've gone from never going out to do things to now knowing I can go run a 5k, join in on rock climbing or whatever (and generally not even be sore afterwards).

I also enjoy sitting on my porch though I typically prefer margaritas. When it comes to the range, I've found there are a lot more activities I feel comfortable doing now - not just static target shooting but full length training courses, stress drills, etc. It's also nice to go to the beach and get a certain amount of positive looks. My SO enjoys that I work out as well.

Exercise does not "make you" happy anymore than eating chocolate does - it may bring pleasure in itself but that's a side benefit. Rather, the primary benefit is now being able to do _whatever_ strikes your fancy and generally deal with significantly less health woes and limitations. It's a nice experience that when you visit your doctor, you get a high five and told your blood pressure and vitals are good.

Re: New fitness habits being created during Covid?

#67
What's a gym? COVID made me forget. COVID also gave me more time to do things especially without the commute. What did I learn to do with 0 équipment?

1) Want to lose fat? You can run outside. You can also swim outside if you're lucky. It's free. Or you can walk briskly. Even better for losing fat. Want to improve your technique? There's plenty of instruction on YouTube and online.

2) Want to get strong? You can follow along workouts from Iron Wolf on YouTube and do some hardcore basic calisthenics. It's free. Don't worry, you're not stronger than him. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBUo6dgGR82QOfidtpNRQww

3) Want to improve your flexibility? You can follow along workouts from Human 2.0 on YouTube to hit flexibility, mobility and body maintenance. It's free. https://www.youtube.com/c/Humantwopointzeroinc

Also, you can do all of the above with friends! They don't need any equipment either.

Re: New fitness habits being created during Covid?

#68

The only people I know who seem to feel really good about their COVID fitness levels are those who prioritized it before the pandemic and are so committed that they were willing and able to figure out alternatives. People who didn't prioritize it or struggled to get into sustainable schedules are doing poorly. Even some of my friends who had really good routines fell into pretty serious depressions at the start of it…

It's been impossible to buy any kind of home fitness equipment for a couple of months now. I've seen kettlebells going for $500 on Amazon. People definitely thought they were going to jump into home fitness with both feet, but just like New Year's resolutions, I doubt that many of them stuck with it. If I had to guess, there are two groups of people who are taking advantage of the quarantine to better their fitness r…

Door pull-ups are a pretty good hack. Your t-shirt and shorts cut the friction enough that your body just slides along the door surface. Place a sock under each palm for a more comfortable grip.

Between that, push-ups, planks, going for a walk, and running up some stairs, you can keep a baseline of fitness which isn’t too shabby.

Re: New fitness habits being created during Covid?

#69

The only people I know who seem to feel really good about their COVID fitness levels are those who prioritized it before the pandemic and are so committed that they were willing and able to figure out alternatives. People who didn't prioritize it or struggled to get into sustainable schedules are doing poorly. Even some of my friends who had really good routines fell into pretty serious depressions at the start of it…

I found it easier to get exercise, enough sleep and good food while working for home.

It was generally more tiring with kids at home, but specifically I had more time to exercise and when we went outside as familly I as adult had waaay more chance to move too. Since there were no kids outside, we went to place where I could do sport too more often.

Re: New fitness habits being created during Covid?

#70
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This app sounds really cool and smart for what it is trying to do. Do you mind sharing the name?

Sure, this one's called Freeletics. It was reasonably priced for a year (and you can find discount codes on Google). The feedback loop is _okay_ because although they have really stellar example videos on how to do the exercises, you still have to self-assess how closely you're matching the videos (there's no person that watches you or critiques). That's the only downside to the "AI" driven workout progressions.

Freeletics is great, but sometimes it pushes you too much. The whole no excuses thing is great and motivating, untill you injure yourself by overtraining and not having enough rest.

I know, cause I injured myself like that and could not exercise properly for a year.

Just something to be cautious about.

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