Nutrition and Fitness: What you need to know during your quarantine
Kicking around the soccer ball with the family in a grassy area of our neighborhood.
Our country is in a situation that we have never experienced before. Life is completely different with many of us working from home and homeschooling our children. Some of us are on the front lines working harder than ever. Some are bored, some are overwhelmed.
How is this changing your nutrition and fitness? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
It is OKAY!
Yes, it is really okay if you have your nutrition hasn’t been the best, if you’ve eaten more than normal, or exercised less than normal. We are in crisis in our country and it is stressful. Some people are cooking more, some are snacking more, some are just eating cereal for dinner. Many of us are in “survival mode” and it is important to cut yourself some slack.
Get Outside
As long as you are distancing yourself from others, you should get outside as much as the weather will allow. Soak up some sunshine and be active. This doesn’t mean you have to workout, unless you want to. Just walking around or playing with soccer with the kids will be good for the soul.
Evaluate how you are feeling and what physical activity you need to feel well
Some people will feel like exercise needs to take a backseat. Others feel depressed or anxious without physical activity. Both of those feelings are valid. If you DO need exercise to feel well, it is time to figure out how to make it part of your day. We may be at home for a while, so if you haven’t already, it is time to figure out how to make exercise happen.
Fitting in physical activity will look different for everyone and you just have to figure out what works best for you. This may mean purchasing some equipment, talking to your spouse about watching the kids while you get out for a run, or chasing kids while they bike.
Talk to other friends about scheduling a zoom meeting to workout together if it helps to have accountability and camaraderie.
There are also free resources such as Les Mills on-demand, which is offering a number of free workouts at this time. If you need more variety, you can pay a pretty reasonable fee to have access to all of their on-demand workouts. Peloton also has a 90 day free trial with many different types of exercises.
Exercise may look a little different right now and that is totally okay! If you know you need it for your mental health and just to feel well, then find a way to work in some physical activity.
Don’t stress if your nutrition hasn’t been stellar.
Nutrition is important! If I didn’t think that, I wouldn’t have become a registered dietitian. However, it is the big picture that matters, not a snapshot in time.
Did being quarantined give you the munchies? Don’t stress! It happens! Get a little too wrapped up in takeout instead of making your own meals? I know, you’re just trying to support the economy.
Some people are exploring their culinary side that they didn’t know existed and others are hanging on by a thread.
Here is what I want you to know: there are a lot of ways to do this quarantine that are a-okay. If you still hate to cook, that is fine. You all know it is one of my hobbies, so maybe I go overboard while trying to avoid the cleaning that needs to be done in my house.
Again, what you really need to think about is how you feel. If the munchies have you feeling sluggish and yuck, then something needs to change. There are a lot of small things you can add to your diet to improve how you feel and your overall health without feeling like you are being restricted.
My advice is always the same: add some fruits and vegetables. That is the simplest way to improve your overall health and feel better. A lot of great summer produce is already starting to come into season. If there is a farmer’s market near you, that is a great place to go and get local, fresh produce.
Consider trying a new fruit or vegetable or just preparing it in a different way. Check out the recipes on my blog or even google recipes for a fruit or vegetable you want to try. If cooking isn’t your thing, check out some takeout that contains a vegetable that sounds delicious to you.
A few final thoughts
You don’t have to be perfect during this time, or any time for that matter! Life is crazy and we are all adjusting. The important thing is that you are taking some steps to feel well and be well. Doing physical activity that is fun and fits into your new life and including foods that add to your health will go a long way in making you feel your best during this time.