Stay Home and Stay Fit to Stay Healthy

Staying Home

Social Distancing and just simply Staying Home are important now more than ever for all of us.  I am sure you have all been following the news and must have a good handle on the concept of “Flattening the Curve” by now.   There are so many great articles out there that go into great lengths explaining the science, math and rational behind it all.  I thought about sharing some with you, but decided you probably are following all of this so closely and are reading lots of the same ones yourselves, and sometime the information can get just over-whelming.

So I thought I would share with you the simple and perhaps most selfish reasons of why I feel it is so critical we all stay home:

• I care about each and every one of you and I want to see you all again soon in perfect health.
• I care about my husband and what may be coming his way at the hospital and we need to protect our doctors, nurses and our vital health care system, so they can help us when we really need them.

Please if you can, avoid any errands and grocery shopping.  Hopefully you have a friend, neighbour or family member who can do some shopping for you.  If you have to head out, take advantage of Senior Shopping Hours at our local stores. Try services like “Click and Collect” at Loblaws, or call the store to see if they are offering any delivery services.

When you see how easily germs can spread, you’ll think twice about touching anything outside your home!  Check out this video that shows just how easily germs spread!!

 

So on top of Staying Home, please wash your hands!!

Stay Fit

This is clearly a passion of mine.  It’s part of my daily routine to workout, and I make sure everyone else in my family gets their daily exercise in as well.  It’s on all of our “To Do Lists”.

Now more than ever I am passionate about helping you achieve this daily goal as well.  When we hear about the potential for our health care system to become overwhelmed and the decisions that the medical staff may have to make to triage patients, it can seem a little scary.

One of the factors that they may consider is your “frailty score“.  The a frailty score is used to measure the health status of older individuals; it serves as a proxy measure of aging and vulnerability to poor outcomes.

A Frailty score of 1 is consider “Very Fit”.  This is the category we should all be aiming for.  If we are not there yet, it doesn’t mean it’s not possible.

Add exercise to your daily “To Do List”.  Start with a 20-30 minute brisk walk outside.  It is safe to go out for a walk, just maintain a 2m distance from anyone else you might encounter.  The fresh air and sunshine will help boost your mood as well.  Read my previous post on the Daily Walking Challenge.

If you are ready for more of a challenge, try adding walking poles as suggested by Allan Bennett:

“A thought to add to your walking note. I have walking poles as well and will use them to increase exertion level from time to time getting the RPE elevated. Ski poles can substitute in a pinch.

You can also increase the length of time you walk each day by 5 minutes, building to 60 minutes.  Of course let me know if you would like to receive my Strong at Home workouts via direct email from me.

Here are some great pictures that some of you have shared during and after your workouts. You are all doing your best to get your exercise in!!

Ward worked so hard he needed a nap!!  That’s me on our indoor bike!