It has been close to a month and I haven’t been on my bicycle nor have I engaged in any form of exercise. The gyms have been closed again where I live. Weirdly, this time around, I am not enthusiastic about maintaining a schedule to combat lockdown blues. Perhaps this is because there is a glimpse of light with the promise of a vaccine; the feeling that everything will soon come to an end lingers.
Despite not being able to exercise, I have a standard eating routine which more or less allows me to maintain my weight since my metabolism hasn’t started to slow down. Though the gym for me has always been more associated with lifting my spirits as opposed to being solely tied to weight loss, I am now starting to realise how toned it has gotten me. Cycling has also built my calves and overall I feel healthier. Even though the scale says the same number, for some reason my body feels incredibly different.
For many, the recommendation has always been to strategize if you are sinking into a not-so-pleasant place but in reality, it is extremely hard to be productive in a pandemic. While 20-minute high intensity interval training workouts might be available at your fingertips to follow, we must be wary of the danger of wanting to be productive or maintain routine in uncertain times.
If you are struggling with weight or how you feel about your body due to all the extra pandemic calories try your best to consider the following:
Self-compassion
Most people tend to be their own toughest critic. Be easy on yourself. Despite intermediate re-openings and uncertainty, it is disappointing to experience rules changing every other day. That frustration for me has been internalized into a feeling of not trying hard enough to cope. There is nothing normal in what we are experiencing and therefore it is okay to forgive yourself for missing targets and believing you are behind on your physical improvement plan.
Binge eating
I have a routine yes, but I have definitely taken more comfort in fun food and drinks. When you aren’t constantly exercising this can harbour a lot of guilt. Diet culture is toxic. It forces one into thinking there is no room for failure or slip-ups. People casually apologise for indulging. It is deeply traumatizing to exercise diet culture on your selves when literally everyone is looking for some kind of happiness. If you want to sit and eat a of tub of ice- cream do so.
Refocus your energy
Everything around you feeds into your energy. If you go on Instagram and see loads of people being productive at different points of their life it is normal to think this is how it should be all time. Unfollow fitness pages that make you feel guilty. It is an unhealthy habit to engage in. It tramples on your self-esteem. I have always been better when I write in reflection. Whether through words or speaking out loud try to openly reflect on your relationship with energy and who you want it to be influenced by.
All of us are surviving, some by a thread. If there was ever a time for radical self-care/love it is now, to get us through until the vaccine becomes fully available.
