Hello, everyone! I hope you are Staying Healthy and safe during the COVID pandemic. Thankfully, my little family has avoided the virus thus far. We’ve done our part “social distancing” and have had a lot of quality time together. It’s been a tough, unusual year without my races and travel, my kids’ little league and other activities, and gatherings with family and friends. The world has changed so much in such a short time, and nobody is unaffected. I’ve been thinking a lot about Staying Healthy and Fit in the Covid-19 Era. It’s not all about physical health and physical fitness. It’s been a rollercoaster mentally and emotionally for so many of us. But for me, the key to this time period has been:

• Have a routine
• Stay active
• Focus on nutrition
• Find outlets for mental and emotional health
• Learn something new

I’ll write more in the coming weeks about a lot of these things specifically but I’ll give a quick rundown of some highlights of good things that have happened. I do get down about the negative – the loss of things we were looking forward to this year, the uncertainty about the future, the affect of this era on my children, and so much more.

Believe me, it’s not been easy — I primarily work in the arts. An industry that has been devastated by Covid. I’ve lost income, work, and so much of what made me “whole”. But I like to focus on the positive! So here are a few positive things that have happened in my life since the shutdown/Covid time period. Basically, how I’m staying healthy and fit in the Covid-19 Era – this is what’s brought me joy and hope and excitement:

• Lost quite a bit of weight that had crept back on last year, and I’m back to the fitness I had two years ago! I’ve been working with a nutrition coach via Stronger U and it has been fantastic – tracking macros, sleep, and more. The support and accountability is incredible and it just makes sense since it’s about balance, and healthy eating for life. No gimmicks.
• Started teaching indoor cycling at Life Time, and a new yoga/barre/cycle studio called Senz, right before the shutdown. The timing was crazy – in Feb/March, I was onboarding at Life Time and Senz was having their grand opening. They had to shut down on their first official day open! Things are back open and I’m loving it. Masks, distancing, and lots of cleaning protocols.
• Passed my AFAA Group Fitness Certification! I had been taking the online course and studying since December, but my test was canceled several times due to Covid. Finally passed my test and got certified in July!
• Learned to sail and got my ASA101 certification! Again, canceled a couple times due to Covid and finally success. When my kids are with their dad you can often find me on a boat.

Hmm, what else!?

• Lots of hiking and rock climbing, most recently in West Virginia last week. The perfect “social distance” vacation. More to come on those outdoor adventures in further posts since there’s so much great recap to do of that trip, but here’s a pic!

I’m dreading the fall with my three kids’ virtual school, since the Spring was really tough when school went to distance learning. I already work from home since I’ve been self-employed for a few years, but now I’m juggling work with three kids underfoot, and managing their online learning schedules and assignments. It’s hard, and I’m sure many of you can relate.

I hope you’re all in some sort of comfortable groove with the “current/new normal”, and I’m curious how you’re holding up! Are you staying healthy and fit in the Covid-19 Era? Let me know in the comments here, or on Facebook or Instagram.

Is running with hand sanitizer the new normal?

How are you staying healthy and staying fit during the COVID-19 era?

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