Tips on at home workouts- how has your gym routine changed during the pandemic?
As a personal trainer who loves to work out and train people in the gym, I’m sure that others can relate – due to the pandemic adapting to a new way of working out and training clients virtually has been a challenge! My own routine has changed from regularly going to the gym 4-5 times a week to at home workouts with minimal equipment and bodyweight only 3 times a week. At first, I was nervous to see the results I’ve worked for disappear but the body is an intelligent machine and can adapt to a new style of training like working out at home.
A few tips I’ve followed throughout the pandemic to keep up my routine are:
1. Have a designated spot in your house where you can work out.
2. Change the workout intensity – if you find your home workouts are lacking in motivation, increase the intensity to make it more challenging for you!
3. You can use your body as its own machine during a workout, the pandemic has taught us that you don’t need a bunch of equipment to have an effective workout. A set of weights, resistance bands and using what you have available around your home can mimic movements you would normally do in the gym to keep your fitness journey progressing.
How does diet, nutrition, and exercise overall contribute to tackling mental health issues?
Nutrition and fitness can be a factor when it comes to mental health issues as the mind and body are strongly connected. When you make better food choices and exercise regularly, you’ll notice you start to feel better both mentally and physically, sleep better, have a stronger mindset and this all comes back to improving your overall mental wellness. Focusing on your nutrition and fitness can reduce stress, anxiety, depression and helps you develop a stronger healthier relationship with yourself!
How did you get started in the holistic field? What about it inspired you?
I got into the holistic health field for two main reasons. I remember being in my late teens and feeling exhausted every day, having zero motivation and was feeling lost with what I wanted to do with my life – I truly wanted to change and feel better. I was introduced to the Institution of Holistic Nutrition by my grandmother who I looked up to very much for her holistic and spiritual lifestyle. I fell in love with the idea of pursing holistic health as a career since at the time my mother was suffering from breast cancer and I was open to learning more about holistic approaches to improve the quality of her own life and my own. My grandmother and mother are no longer here with us, but they are looking down on me and how I inspire and teach others!
What’s one piece of advice you can offer to people looking to improve their health, and overall wellness?
One piece of advice I want to give everyone looking to improve their health and wellness journey is – there is no perfect time to start your health, fitness and wellness journey, start when it feels right for you and do it for YOU. Your health and wellness are in your hands. It is up to you to take control of it but remember to allow yourself to rest when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed because your journey is a continuous growth and never ends!
