Hello Summer and New Health and Fitness Goals!
It’s hard to believe when the Stay-at-Home-Order first went into effect that we were still in the season of Winter. Many of you so courageously embraced the drudgery of winter weather and declared it as a season of growth and development towards personal goals. Some of those goals such as practicing daily gratitude and working on consistency may have blossomed despite the circumstances. However, with gym closures, race cancellations, and social distancing requirements, many personal fitness goals were yanked out from underneath us.
One of the keys to surviving and thriving in the face of adversity is to innovatively adapt. I am so impressed by the motivation and discipline of CoachAmyPT patients and RRKC athletes who continued core strength work “at home” vs. at the gym, pushed through long distance runs and bike rides solo without the comradery from fitness buddies or friends, or incorporated daily walks or activity into their previously semi-sedentary schedules. With so many factors of daily life that we can’t control, it feels good to take ownership of some health and wellness goals that we can control.
Before Coronavirus, I was planning on training for and running the Portland Marathon in Maine with my RRKC friends in October, but after much consideration, I’ve changed my plans. It is doubtful that Fall races will be held due to the forecasted spike of Coronavirus in the Fall. I venture to guess that until there is herd immunity or a vaccine, that race organizers will not find it safe to hold races.
Even if Fall races are held, according to the CDC travel still increases your risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19, so I’m opting to stay local for now. I’ve also changed my race distance goal to a half marathon instead of my planned marathon distance to decrease the strain on my immune system.
But choices and goals, as always, are not one size fits all. These are my personal choices that take into consideration that I treat patients and live with family members that are at high risk for complications from COVID-19. Each person needs to consider their own situation and with the current state of things, we may have to get creative with our goals, but we don’t have to surrender them all together.
What are your Summer goals going to be?
Here are mine:
Return to strength training 2x/week
Return to healthy eating habits
Run regularly at least 4x per week
Set a base to get half marathon race ready (just in case)
If you’re stumped with trying to come up with Summer goals, perhaps it’s because the purpose behind your goals needs to change. If you’re motivation to train for that destination half marathon was to take a fun trip with friends, you’ll have to find a new purpose for running those miles this summer. We may just have to dig deep within ourselves to find the purpose.
Perhaps your purpose is improved health, increased stamina, raising money for a charity, or staying healthy despite this pandemic. Vocalizing and writing down goals increases the likelihood that we’ll achieve them. Identify those goals and sign the CoachAmyPT clinic “wall of fame” or share with us on Facebook. We’re here to support you all the way.