This definitely has been a difficult time for all of us. It has been a time of stress, worry and change of routine. Even though it has completely changed how we do things there is a sense of peace knowing we are not alone. We, as a whole, are in this together.
One of the best things that has come out of this for B3 is that we were able to utilize technology and offer different platforms to stay connected to our members. As coaches, we are grateful for this and we are grateful for you!
We have asked our 3 of our coaches to share with us their personal experiences through this quarantine. How they are coping, their new discoveries as well as great advice to all of us to stay on track.
How are you keeping a routine through this chaotic time?
CE: Making sure I drink tumeric tea and drink my fruit smoothie every morning and have my meal preps cooked at night
MH: I try to just section off my day. I set a time to do my yoga practice and a time to work out and in between that I work on scheduling out homework, writing, ready, blogging, etc. It keeps me on track but I’m also trying to give myself some grace. Not everything needs to get done right now, and that’s okay.
ST: Routine isn’t the word for what I’m keeping. Sanity, is better. Trying to be present and available for my children with distance learning while still hosting classes and doing PT from home has been a challenge, but I’ve found it’s more effective to forgive myself and embrace the messy, chaotic reality rather than fight against it and live in a constant state of disappointment. I do, however, make sure I have at least one fun thing blocked out on my schedule for play, whether it be a run (yes, running is fun for me) or board game time with my kids, just so I always have something to look forward to.
What is your favorite class to teach on Live Zoom?
CE: All of them honestly
MH: Balance, duh!🧘🏼♀️
ST: Strength. It seemed a daunting task at first without equipment, but it’s really given me the opportunity to lean on my education with regards to adaptation principles. The idea is that the body will change and adapt to whatever demands you place on it consistently over time, but heavier dumbbells are just one way to change demand. When I write a workout, I’m looking at movement in different planes of motion, different angles of resistance, different levels of instability, and different tempos/types of muscular contraction than I ever did before.
Since we don’t have the gym, what is the most creative way you have utilized to make your workouts work for you?
CE: Parallete Training, Calisthenics, Tricking, Capoeira, Flexibility
MH: Honestly just being outside working out. It’s so motivating and inspiring for me. It makes me sweat and gives me open space to just move my body.
ST: It’s easy to overlook the benefits of isometric movement. When you do 15 reps of a bicep curl with a dumbbell, your bicep is in peak concentric contraction for a split second each rep, but if you wrap a towel around a doorknob and pull the ends of that towel, holding a bicep curl for 15 seconds, you’ve just contracted that bicep for a full 15 seconds.
What is the one thing you look forward to after this quarantine is lifted?
CH: Being around people
MH: I can’t wait to get back to my routine. I like having a schedule and sticking to it. And, I miss my friends!
ST: Someone else doing the dishes.
Name one thing that you have been indulgent with while in quarantine?
CE: 7’11 and Ben N Jerry cookie dough and brownie ice cream. Damn shame 🙁
MH: Me time. I’ve never read so much in my life and I’m loving every bit of it. I’m also spending so much time by the pool which is glorious!
ST: Trashy reality television. I never watched this stuff before. I might keep watching it after. Hahaha
It is easy to get off track with our goals right now, what is the one piece of advice you can give them.
CE: Don’t get discouraged when you fall off the band wagon. Jump right back on and ride that shit out.
MH: Be okay feeling what you feel, positive and negative. If you feel inclined to move, move. If you feel down and need a day of rest, than rest. If you can take on the world, than do so. This is a weird time and forcing yourself to do things when your body is telling you no isn’t going to be beneficial. Moving even just a little bit will go such a long way, it doesn’t have to be a traditional workout ever single day. We will get through this together. Just honor your mind, your body, and your spirit.
ST: How we speak to ourselves is everything. Language is powerful, especially in our own heads. Are you off-track? Or are you on a different track? You may be moving slower toward one goal right now, but what are you accomplishing in other areas? The truth is, there is just as much negative in the world as positive, but you always have the power to choose which you will focus on. Beating yourself up might motivate you for a short time, but in my experience, humans are far more driven to accomplish goals in the long term when they speak kindly to themselves, expect to fail along the way, and forgive themselves often.