We’ve been living first with “social distancing” – and now a stay-at-home order from our mayor – for over a week. A week before that, COVID-19 was on the move, and I decided during that week that a hot, crowded, sweaty, gym was probably the perfect place to transmit the Corona Virus, so I quit going. For a guy who visits the gym 4 days a week, this threw my life into turmoil!
One of the worse things you can do for you physical and mental health at a time like this is to break healthy routines. So I quickly looked to guys like Jerry Teixeira, who has a great YouTube channel with tons of bodyweight exercises you can do at home and kicked my workouts back in gear.
But even with regular workouts planned, I missed the social aspect of working out in a gym. So I created a “100 Push-Up Challenge” group on Facebook. In a week we’ve had a bunch of men and women join up. It’s been great to see how others are training, and how others are progressing. I’m way behind some of the guys on the leaderboard (hint: they’re all military). But we’re all checking in on each other, cheering each other on, and building a community.
All that to say, for those of you who rely on a social connection for fitness, get some. Make your own if you have to. Like James Clear says (author of “Atomic Habits“) a habit is easier to form (and stick to) when you’re part of a community where the desired behavior is the norm. If you want, join ours by searching for “100 Push-Up Challenge” on Facebook (or you can click this link).
Don’t let COVID-19 keep you from your goals.