Even in the best of times, it can be tough to muster the drive to move frequently.
Historically, these are hardly the best of times.
Rain continues to pound several regions of Australia, temperatures continue to plummet (by antipodean standards), and the number of Covid cases remains elevated. In other words, the gym has never appeared so unappealing, and getting there – dry – on many days is an accomplishment in and of itself.
During the early months of 2020, even at-home workouts have lost some of their charms. The words “Yoga with Adriene” are enough to throw even the most flexible into a panic attack after the many lockdowns that have occurred over the previous few years. Pelotons have not fared much better.
So, what then? We sought the opinion of readers and professionals by inquiring about their exercise habits during these wet and turbulent times, with the term “exercise” interpreted rather broadly.
Perform your chores.
Dr. Sandro Demaio, CEO of VicHealth, asserts that physical activity does not have to be organized or disciplined for us to get its benefits. Take the stairs rather than the escalator, and walk one or two stations at the beginning or finish of a tram or train journey.
All of these activities can be included under the now-common concept of incidental exercise, or, in Demaio’s words, “things that we chance to be doing while obtaining exercise.”
However, incidental exercise can be performed without leaving the house. Aside from these obvious examples, many domestic tasks require light to moderate physical effort that can increase strength and raise the heart rate. “Very frequently, people will attend a fitness session that closely resembles the activities you might perform with a vacuum,” explains Demaio.
“Ironically, vacuuming is healthful. You can get more exercise by doing it more frequently, especially if you’re at home and likely making a bit more of a mess.
The added benefit is, of course, a very clean home. Demaio also suggests house remodeling or transferring your home office to a different level so that “every time you need to go to the restroom or have a drink, you’re traveling down another set of stairs, which is fantastic for your cardiovascular health
In addition to numerous energetic canines, our users suggested a variety of domestic activities involving dogs. “Daily, one of us runs with the dog,” explains Emma Coultas, whose labrador-Staffie mix is very fast. Because he has a great deal of energy, he can run up to 10 kilometers.
… or do something enjoyable
Coultas has recently started throwing raucous dance parties in the living area after dark. The battery-powered fairy lights are turned on, the aux cord is handed to the children, and Meghan Trainor and Harry Styles cause limbs to fly awry. “I cannot choose the music,” Coultas explains, “because if I do, they will go.”
“Children primarily engage in jumping. I also hop around, but then I attempt to perform some more targeted exercises, such as squats and lunges… If we haven’t got an opportunity to go outside, it’s just to get their energy out before bed.”
Demaio, meantime, claims that his vegetable garden is an excellent source of endorphins. “Gardening is an excellent strength and stretch-based activity,” he says, even for individuals who may not be physically capable of more intense exercise. “Digging, planting, trimming, and bending over to pull weeds are all great exercises that are equal to stretching and lifting weights.”
Take it extremely easy
Moving around the house requires as little effort as walking. Robyn, who requested that we only use her first name, states that she has “walked every day of my life for the past 50 years.” However, while she recovers from open-heart surgery, she has turned to indoor walking DVDs to maintain her fitness level.
The channel she utilizes is named Fabulous50s, and the program is a choose-your-own-adventure where you can match your amount of production to your capabilities. She says, “Walk around your living room for 30 seconds.” “You may then choose to perform 30-second squats. And then it’s time to walk again… You don’t even have to be seen if that’s your concern.”
Others had more outré notions. Another reader, Dennis, combines his stretches with loud vocal exercises – the tennis player’s way. As he reads by the fireplace, he explains, “Occasionally I stand up and stretch while making various animal sounds, such as low-pitched grunts and high-pitched squeals… I furiously wriggle my legs and stand to add another log to the fire.” This may repair your inner child, but not your relationships with your neighbors.
Deceive your mind
If everything else fails, simply deceive yourself, like Jess Ho does by feigning sleepiness. They say, “I’m going to sound utterly psychotic.” “However, I exercise before I am completely awake. And has yet to realize that it is chilly.”
They say that getting there so early in the morning is primarily to avoid a large, sweaty throng, but it also means that there is no one to see the haphazard pile of clothing that has been created to warm up from the morning chill.
“Remember the Friends episode where Joey wears all of Chandler’s clothes? This is how I look when I enter the gym. As the practice continues, a large pile of garments accumulates next to me.”
However, not everyone is as athletic (or disciplined). He also has a unique suggestion for exercising at home: blasting RuPaul’s Drag Race as a frantic diversion.
“That is the finest thing to watch if I’m doing aerobics at home. It is so action-packed, fast-paced, and murky… if my heart rate increases significantly
“[Drag Race] has unquestionably enhanced my cardio.”
