Shelter in (Home) Gym

Hey Beer Squad!

How’s everyone doing?

How did your first week of house arrest, er… I mean, Social Starvation… shoot, um, I mean Hell Week…

Sh!t! What is the gov calling it?

Oh, yeah!

“Shelter in place.”

How is that going? Anyone feeling a little batshit crazy? Never realized how much you liked people and the outside world?

I’m right there with ya. But, I am trying to stay positive. Heck, I’m in my own home. Comfortable. Warm. I have a cupboard full of food. I am still working full time. My family is healthy. I have my four-legged fluff ball to take on walks throughout the day. As far as I am concerned, I am immeasurably blessed. I joke a lot about feeling like I’m on house arrest (minus the ankle candy), because, dammit, I think laughter is one of the best things ever, but, this pandemic has really shone a light on how blessed and thankful I really am. Particularly for the comforts and conveniences of modern day life.

This abrupt turning-the-world-as-we-know-it-on-its-side-thing, has come with some foot-stopping, eye-rolling, basic pissed off 15 year old girl behavior. On the flip side, it has really pushed our techy, new-age world to get creative –

So you’re telling me I can have girl’s night via video chat? I get to gossip, drink wine, laugh with my gals, yet I don’t have to leave the house or put makeup on? HELL TO THE YES.

You mean I can work from the comfort of my spare bedroom, give my puppy kisses whenever I want, wear workout pants if I damn well please, AND make a difference in feeding our community. WELL I’LL BE DAMNED!

I can be on lock down but still get my workouts in with my gal pals? WELL HELLLLLO SUMMER! (And cheap airfare, I see you boo.)

What a world to be locked down in! Even when sh!t is hitting the fan, technology is giving us spoiled brats a lifeline to normalcy (hmm… or maybe a new normal, one where we all morph into introverted hobbits who don’t leave their house, ever).

Even with positivity in hand, I’ll admit I am laugh-crying a bit. Things are strangely absurd. We’re locked in our houses, people are buying toilet paper like Taco Bell announced all their food has been laced with a laxative, and children are yelling at their parents to listen (karma is a wicked gal). Things feel uncertain and a bit scary, but on the other hand people and companies are stepping up to plate to lend a helping hand, and the meme world is on fire right now (thank you Tiger King).

I am laugh-crying with thankfulness and gratefulness, happy for the most part, but being conscious about taking care of myself. I know that I have to support my mental, emotional, and physical health, so I don’t end up coming completely uncorked when I realize my trip to the great state of Texas is canceled. (The world is so cruel! I am just a girl who loves barbecue and big hair!)

So, how am I taking care of myself?

Besides letting my imagination run wild on how I’d pull my own Shawshank Redemption, sans the shit scene, I am:

• Carving out time in the morning and evening to journal. In the morning I look up a motivational or positive quote that resonates with me, write it down, and include what I’m feeling grateful for that morning. Then, I circle back up in the evening with what happened that day that I was thankful for. If I am feeling a wave of destructive comparison to someone else on social (don’t lie, we all do this), I jet over to my journal and write somethings on that particular topic that I’m thankful for. Change your thoughts, change your attitude, change your life (or something like that).
• I am being extra diligent and conscientious about what I’m feeding my body. I think I am on day 20 of ridding my body of sweets (baked goods, cookies, etc.), soda, and fast food. Cleaning up my food choices isn’t just good for my physical well-being, but my emotional and spiritual health (read last week’s blog Gut Check). On a “normal” day, when I feed my body wholesome foods, I feel better. With the idea of normal scorched, it is more important than ever to feed my body with foods that make me feel good (and support my immune system). Plus, cooking is its own form of therapy.
• Getting fresh air! Ahh, fresh freaking air. Who would have thought it could be such a drug (but, like, the good kind). I love walking through my garden and checking my little plants, seeing what’s growing and how everyone is doing. I also drag my poor dog on a lot of walks (being sure not to get near anyone or touch anything!). I think Charlotte is over the two and three walks per day, but, unbeknownst to her she is on a weight loss journey, it feels good to stretch my legs, see the neighborhood, and get that OG fresh air.
• Talking with my family and friends (thank you technology!). Ahh, my heart melted this morning. My sweet Nana called to see how I was doing. I love talking to my family and friends, hearing what they’re doing, how they’re feeling, and what they’re doing to stay busy (although it makes me a bit sad to hear all the greatness they’re cooking up in their kitchen, and I don’t get to be a taste tester! Yes, I am thinking about you, Lynn).
• Flowers. Oh my dear flowers. I have been driving out to Glenn on Saturday mornings to pick up a new bundle of flowers, that then decorates my dining room for the next week. Broken Oak Acres is one of our local flower farms who, in an effort to stay compliant with social distancing, sets their flowers out on the bed of their old truck at the end of the lane. You can swing in, grab a bundle and leave a check. Never having to get close (or see) anyone. There is something about flowers that just makes me irrefutably happy. So I’m supporting local, and getting a boost happy vibes every time I walk into my kitchen and dining room.
• Huffing the oils. The good oils that is! You probably didn’t need me to even include this bullet point, because of course I’m diffusing and lathering up in my oils. They’re my own army of support.
• In-home spa treatments, aka invigorating scrubs, masks, and peels (25 forever!). Cue my normal schedule, and I am usually too exhausted to spend much time on my skincare in the evening. But, now that I am launching greatness from my spare bedroom, I find I have the the energy to schedule some quiet “me” time. And I’m a better person for it. It makes me feel good, boosts my mood, and makes me feel special. I am a Mary Kay gal, and thankful they’ve got so many products that give a spa-like experience at home. Plus it delivers right to my doorstep…
• Last up, workin’ it out. Yep, I love gettin’ a good sweat. I’ve been leaning pretty hard on this activity. I am so glad over the last couple years Jared and I have invested in our little home gym. It’s far from perfect, and I had to borrow some weights from my fit fam at Physique Fitness to get me through the crisis, but it is a stress outlet and source of all things feel-good. I am feeling stronger, accomplished, clear-headed, and it is giving me a semblance of structure and routine.

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Okay, those are all great things. Most of us can journal, (try) to eat wholesome foods (chocolate I think you’re pretty wholesome), get fresh air, talk to family and friends (except the ones you send to voicemail, hehe), stuff some flowers in a vase, maybe huff some oils, and slap on a face mask, but how do we replicate a home gym? That’s a bit of a stretch. I’m sure some of you are thinking, “Gee, I’ve got some extra time and I’m spending less going out, but not enough to craft a damn gym and fully furnish it. Ya crazy lady.”

Well, good news is, there’s little things that can have a big impact. And are affordable. Ya’ll know I’m cheap, I’m not out here trying to blow a bunch of money. So here’s what I have in my little gym, why I think it’s amazing, and all the ways you can use it:

• Treadmill. This may have to wait until we’re allowed to leave our homes, and it is a bit of a space commitment, but there are ways (when you’re ready!) to incorporate a treadmill on a budget. We bought ours second hand from a friend, I believe for less than $150. I highly suggest looking on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, or even asking around. So many people have treadmills that are collecting dust (New Year’s resolutions I blame you!). Buying them new is great, but there are a lot of options if you’re putting your gym together on a budget!
• Stationary bike. I won’t lie, this isn’t the most-used piece of equipment in my gym. I think I have stationary bike PTSD after riding one everyday while recovering and rehabbing my knee from surgery. But, still a great cardio option! I got this a few years ago, I believe it came from Amazon for under $200. Search around, check Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. I am always amazed at how many pieces are available and for the low cost.
• TRX. One of my favorite pieces of equipment! It is so versatile, and it takes virtually no space. Jared built me a TRX bar so ours stays up all the time, but you can also attach them to your doorway. Quick set up and take down. The TRX can amp up almost every move you’re currently doing, and is an asset for cardio, arm, core, and leg moves.
• Gliders. Oooo these little babies are scorchers. They are ultra cheap, and take up essentially no space. I use these primarily for leg and core moves. If you’re lookin’ to lift that tush for summer, go ahead and order some of these.
• Ab roller. Damn this little booger is hard. Like, no matter how many times you do it. Again, very affordable, and fits under your bed or easily in a closet when you’re not using it. The ab roller is great for carving out those abs, and working the little muscles that you didn’t know were there.
• Kettlebells. I think I stole these from my mom (thank you). They came from Big 5 many moons ago. They can be a little pricey, but you can pick just a couple different weights, and do about a million exercises. Kettlebells can be incorporated into everything from core, to legs, to arms, to cardio. They last forever, and are small enough to be stored without much space committment.
• Dumbbells. Similar to kettlebells, but usually purchased in pairs. Get a couple different weights for different exercises, and watch your strength triple. I have some light weights (again, stolen from Jamie), and some on loan from Physique Fitness (thank you!). Once this apocalypse is over, I will be purchasing a few more of these. They beef up my workout, which results in a major sweat sesh.
• Resistance bands. I purchased mine from Walmart pretty inexpensively. Honestly, they’re not the best, when I muster up the energy I will order some better ones. I really like the Hope Fitness Gear ones. Bands help target certain muscles and really tone.
• Workout ball. I think this piece of equipment also came from Walmart. You can pick these up so many places for a pretty affordable price (basic ones, about $20). They are kind of a hassle to store, but are great for stretching and low impact moves.
• Ankle weights. These feel so 80s, but they’ve made a glorious comeback. I think mine came from Walmart, but you can get them on Amazon or Big 5, anywhere they sell workout-related things. These take up little to no space, are affordable, and really help to target muscles and amplify workouts.
• Things I want to add – Pilates ring (ooo fire to those inner thighs!), a small Pilates ball (target, low impact toning, and I currently have one I am borrowing!), and a Bosu ball. Bosu balls are more expensive, both Pilates pieces are pretty inexpensive.

Even more glorious, is the fact that you don’t really need any equipment, if you so choose. Don’t let equipment be your excuse! (Unless you really want to. Then just tell people you don’t feel like working out, and you’ll do as you damn well please.) There are so many weights and “pieces of equipment” laying around your house (canned or jarred goods, dining room chairs, paper plates, etc.). People are really freaking innovative here. Or, good ol’ body-weighted exercises.

Alright, equipment, or lack there of, check check. But, the elephant in the room is that little (big) thing called motivation. If finding motivation at home is hard for you (I feel the same), there are a number of classes that have taken to social for online workouts! You can remain in the safe comfort of your own home, while getting some of the human interaction you crave, and some encouraging words from an instructor!

I also (even before I got locked in my house) follow some great accounts on Instagram. They give me motivation, teach me new moves and exercises, and inspire me to push my body. Some of my favorite accounts are:

• @kasscfitmama (love her at-home moves!)
• @dmirgonfit21 (amazing low impact and modified workouts)
• @kristafit1 (she is TRX inspo times a million)
• @trainerkaitlin (great home workouts, but also her body positivity and realness keep me grounded)
• I also follow my personal gym, Physique Fitness. Vicki always knows how to make you laugh, make workouts fun, and there’s always modified versions!

Wah-la. There ya have it. Method to my madness on staying sane(ish) through the sh!tstorm!

Let’s be sure we take care of ourselves, check in on our family and friends, and spread positivity. We may not be able to make solve the world’s problems on our own, but we can damn sure make an impact on those around us. Which in turn has a ripple effect. The more we can laugh together, choose graciousness and positivity, the more resilient we will become to what we cannot control.

So, happy house arrest-ing!

F#^k! I mean social distancing and shelter-in-placing!

Stay safe, wash ya damn hands, and don’t be violating personal space boundaries out there. Cheers!