How I’m Staying Active at Home

 My exercise routine has always revolved around classes or meeting up with friends at a gym because accountability is what I desperately need to stick to something and follow through.

With the quarantine, I’ve been worried about sinking into a complete sloth-like life consisting of sitting at my dining room table to work and then moving to the couch after 5 p.m. without much movement in between. But I realized I have a lot less distractions and can make time for more dog walks, at-home workouts and more stretching.

How I’m Holding Myself Accountable

Since I have nothing else to do with my time but work and sit at home, I put my apple watch first thing in the morning so I can actually track my movement. This is a huge part of my accountability. My goal right now, while small, is around 5,000 steps a day. I take the dogs on a walk at least a couple times a day–once in the morning before work and then after with Matt.

I’ve also been setting aside the lunch hour for virtual FLEXcity Fitness classes–the studio I teach at and where I’ve been working out at for almost six years. While I miss the physical studio and the ability to use more equipment from treadmill to TRX to barre, the virtual classes get me sweating and they’ve done a great job of switching up the workouts.

To follow through on these at-home workouts, I make sure to sign up for the class in advance, add to my calendar with reminders so I don’t forget–and if I’m signed up already, I’m more inclined to follow through.

I haven’t done this yet, but my friend Jen and her friend will FaceTime each other during workouts. I love the idea of making it more social, which also helps hold everyone accountable.

The Workout Space at Home

I renovated my basement last year never intending to workout down there, but we’ve converted a small part of the space to a mini, mini gym. We have five pound, 10 pound and 30 pound free weights along with a kettle bell, ankle bands, longer bands, yoga mats and a bench–plenty of equipment to spice it up each day.

Music is also motivating so search for Spotify lists, create your playlists and blast that music. Right now, I’m listening to early 2000s and a lot of remixes!

I also use my Pinterest exercise board to help me mix up workouts at home too if I can’t make a FLEX virtual class work.

Getting Out of the House (and enjoying social distanced walks)

It’s only been a week, and I’ve been finding the confines of my home a little suffocating and the same neighborhood walks have gotten a little boring, so driving to another part of town to walk alone has been a nice change of pace.

I’m finding myself grateful for the change of scenery even though I miss the closed coffee shops and sitting down for dinner at the nearby dinner spots I walk by. And not sure if I can do that so much any more with the stay at home order, but I was able to do it a few times prior.

Affordable Activewear to Keep Me Motivated

Aerie has been a go-to for affordable workout gear. That’s where I bought these biker shorts last year and they have a similar version this year. I also love their high waist black leggings. I also find myself wearing a sports bra and these $20 joggers–perfect fo working at home and transitions sleamlessy to an at-home workout. And I’ve had my eye on this $12 tiger tank that’s lounge and workout worthy.Free People hoodie c/o Evereve | leopard print biker shorts from Aerie | sneakers c/o Everlane | hat by Lululemon

Photography by Emily Mata