Long-term physical health with social distancing

[Chrispee]

My exercise regime centers around playing basketball three times per week with a group of similar aged guys (35-45 years old), and it's a bit scary to think about the ramifications if we are shut down for months. Obviously it's not more frightening than increasing the transmission rate of Covid-19, but I wonder what the long term fallout from this will be with regards to the overall physical health of the population. I've substituted in some jogging and light weights at home, but it's definitely not the exercise I was getting previously. Anybody else on TUG struggling with this dilemma?

 

[Brett]

My exercise regime centers around playing basketball three times per week with a group of similar aged guys (35-45 years old), and it's a bit scary to think about the ramifications if we are shut down for months. Obviously it's not more frightening than increasing the transmission rate of Covid-19, but I wonder what the long term fallout from this will be with regards to the overall physical health of the population. I've substituted in some jogging and light weights at home, but it's definitely not the exercise I was getting previously. Anybody else on TUG struggling with this dilemma?

I know my son is really struggling with not working out at the gym
me, - lack of exercise is not a problem .... but I need to get out and walk around every day

 

[Luanne]

I exercise mostly to stay mobile. I was working out at a gym 3 to 5 times a week, and with a trainer once a week.

What I've been doing is, a set of stretching exercises I found on PBS called "Classical Stretch". Although this is just stretching she really does work all of the body. Also my trainer has brought the gym to the park and I've started working there with her two times a week.

From what I keep hearing from a doctor on our local news channel, and from the woman who does the stretch program is all you need is 20 - 30 minutes a day.

 

[WinniWoman]

I am. My gym equipment is in the cold basement. But I am feeling depressed and not into it, though I use it but not every day like I used to. I have to push myself. In fact- since the whole selling our house and moving twice and everything, and now this nightmare virus thing, I am totally off sync with how my exercise regime used to be. Sometimes I will just substitute a 45 minute walk outside. There are a lot of hills here at least so it does feel like a workout.

But when I was working I did an hour of exercise per day plus I was on my feet a lot in and out of the car all day., so I definitely moved around more.

My son always runs. Today he ran 6 1/2 miles- more than usual- and said his legs hurt. Then he cleaned his apartment.

 

[TravelTime]

I know many people who are struggling with getting their normal workouts in. Many people are substituting walking. I guess you can only do the best you can. If all goes well, this will be over in a few months (I hope). I doubt just a few months of less activity will have a long term effect on physical health. I am more worried about mental health. And exercise is the best thing for mental health.

 

[VacationForever]

Fortunately for us it is a non-issue at the moment. We have always had home exercise equipment even though we normally go to the gym a couple of days a week. So we now exercise on our equipment. We also golf 3 to 4 times a week and since our golf course is not closed we continue to do so. I guess we are fortunate. Both my husband and I are introverts so staying at home when we are not out golfing is just fine. The main difference in our routine is that my husband enjoys having lunch out everyday, and he now stays home for lunch. I prefer not to lunch out so this new routine works well for me.

 

[paxsarah]

Fortunately, I'm a triathlete and we're the original social distancers. I do really miss the pool, though, and access to the only nearby public lake for open water swimming is closed. I find I really need my outdoor runs and bike rides for alone time now that my house is pretty much always full of humans.

 

[pedro47]

I am now trying to do some physical yard work daily for four (4) hours per day; 3 X per week. My physician wants me to exercise 3 times per week for 45 minutes per session. No way Jose.

Today, I trimmed two (2) dog woods trees, two (2) red maple trees, and two (2) crate myrtle trees using a bow saw & ladder. That was Some very, very physical work and some great work. LOL.

Tomorrow I am going to cut 1/4 acre lawn with a self propelled lawn mower.
Then I will cut the 3/4 acre lawn with my John Deere tractor .

I hate running, jogging, and walking alone.

I also missed going out to various restaurants in the area with the fellows for fellowship.


.

 

[PigsDad]

I am finding that I now have more time to get out and be active. It goes both ways.

Kurt

 

[stmartinfan]

I'm really missing my regular class at the local Lifetime fitness. It was half aerobics and half weight work and stretching, all geared to older joints. And I'd been doing it several times a week for so long that the regular attendees had come to feel like a social get together for me. Really miss the movement and the camaraderie. I'm doing some movement and weights on my own but not nearly as much fun!

 

[Passepartout]

Too much food! Too little exercise! Too little interaction with humans! Boy, the sacrifaces we make just for survival!

Be Well! Be Fat! Be lonely!

Jim

 

[MrockStar]

I guess i better break out my Stationary exercise bike from the basement and use it when i watch videos/movies.

 

[b2bailey]

My grand-daughter belongs to a small gym. They are letting members take home a spin bike to use while the gym is closed.

 

[geekette]

I miss the dance studio. Absolutely zilch in March, as they wisely shut down in Feb since it is such a close sport. I think that was my last human contact within 6 ft. It does impact me mentally and spiritually as well, I always left there with less stress and a lot happier, lighter, more joy of living. It's simply not as fun to practice on your own, but, I do crank the music and lose myself when these crushing realities are a bit too much. To get my heart rate up, I have to make it more like aerobics since it's just me and no big ballroom.

I am looking forward to warm weather (sigh, not tomorrow) as I really want to be outside and just work on getting veggies growing and start cleaning up the winter damage everywhere. That's a great, paced workout, various muscle groups worked. I will also rebuild my outdoor pilates area with overhead misters as that was wonderful last year.

It has always been the case for me that alleviating stress requires hard physical work. The summers when I had very stressful jobs, my vegetable garden was massive and well-tended. If it was winter, I was buff from lifting weights.

 

[geekette]

My grand-daughter belongs to a small gym. They are letting members take home a spin bike to use while the gym is closed.

That's wonderful!!!!