Struggling to stay active is an issue some people are dealing with right now. Inactivity for extended periods of time could cause serious health issues, and not just in the short-term.
You’ve likely heard the phrase the “Freshman 15.” Well, we might be on the verge of a new one: the “Quarantine 15.”
Millions of people can’t go to their gym and get a workout in, so that’s leaving them with a question: what can I do to stay active?
“Just do something,” said Mike Robinson, owner of MZR Training in San Luis Obispo. “Just start small.”
However simple that sounds, actually doing it is the tough part.
“This is definitely a time that you’re seeing elevated cholesterol levels and sedentary levels. People aren’t doing as much as they should right now,” Robinson said.
Whether you’re typically buff with a 6-pack or you walk a mile a day, area dieticians say it’s crucial for your long-term health to stay active.
“I think an issue that is on people’s minds is weight gain (altered blood glucose, you could have diabetes and higher cholesterol), for people that are completely changing their lifestyles,” said Leah Dambacher, a registered diet technician at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center.
“This is the time they should really be focusing on their health more than ever because health is more important now than ever,” Robinson said.
Several area gyms are offering Zoom and YouTube classes, including MZR Fitness. Robinson says it’s vital to take advantage for your health.
“If you don’t use it, you lose it. I learned a long time ago that you lose it very fast, not gradually,” Robinson said. “Fitness needs to be the foundation of your life. If your fitness is up, everything else is up. Everything around you is better.”
Robinson says for those unable to leave home or take part in online classes, people can stay active with simple tasks like walking up and down stairs or taking laps around the backyard.