I know many of my friends are struggling with anxiety during this uncertain time. I feel grateful that God has given me a spirit of peace in my current season of life but minimizing worry has not always come easily to me.
When it comes to easing anxiety, my top recommendations are to pray and read the Bible. Next, focus on increasing your endorphins. Listen to music, laugh, eat chocolate, get some sun and exercise! All of these things are still allowed during quarantine.
To help us relieve stress through exercise while we stay safe at home, some of my favorite fitness friends are offering free online workouts. Here are two great options to help us all stay active and calm at home.
Relax with Florida Power Yoga
Yoga is one of the best things we can do for our bodies in times of stress. While popular Florida yoga studio Florida Power Yoga is temporarily closed to in-person classes, they are offering online classes for both members and friends of members through a FREE Facebook group.
Join here and sample their stress-relieving daily yoga classes streamed live on Facebook. The videos can be viewed at a later time if you can’t join live. Multiple classes are available to accommodate a variety of skill levels. Kids’ yoga is included too!
God brought Florida Power Yoga owner Denice McClure into my life at just the right time. I committed to getting back into a consistent workout routine at the start of 2020. Shortly after, I met Denice at a coffee shop in our community. It wasn’t a coincidence. It was God directing my steps. She invited me to try unlimited Florida Power Yoga classes for free for week while my daughter Leilani went to a kids’ art class at Art Slingers, their partner business next door. I took full advantage of the free trial and both Leilani and I loved the experience.
After my first Florida Power Yoga class, I found out that Denice and I were both part of the women’s ministry at Grace Family Church and attended Bible study at the same time though we were doing different studies. Denice has been a shining source of encouragement for me since that day in the coffee shop. I’m glad to now call her my friend. She is pure sunshine and she inspires me with her kind, generous spirit and community-over-competition attitude. I can’t wait to see how her generosity in sharing yoga with the world will help Florida Power Yoga and its community thrive in the future.
Not into Yoga? Sample Barre Blend and Other Beachbody At-Home Workouts
I’ve worked out at home with Beachbody video-based workout programs off and on for several years in addition to paddleboarding. A few months ago, my friend and virtual fitness coach Sylvia Romero shared details about a new Barre Blend workout program launching at the start of 2020. As a former ballet dancer, I was immediately interested in this fusion of ballet barre, Pilates and cardio interval training.
I love in-person classes but I knew an at-home program would be more feasible with two kids at home. So I signed up for a Beachbody Challenge that gave me early access to the Barre Blend program as well as one year of unlimited access to the full library of Beachbody workout programs that I can stream from my TV, smartphone or laptop through Beachbody On Demand.
I recently completed Barre Blend and was pleasantly surprised by the results. I knew I would enjoy a ballet-based workout but being a low-intensity program, I was a little concerned that Barre Blend might not be challenging enough for me as a former dancer. But it proved to be an effective workout and one I could stick with because it was a fun and uplifting experience. It helped me get my dancer’s confidence back as it toned up my body. It also encouraged a positive, peaceful mindset through daily motivational affirmations that serve as the foundation for the program.
If you’ve always wanted to try a Beachbody workout, now is the perfect time. My friend and virtual fitness coach Sylvia Romero has two weeks of Beachbody sample workouts available including a Barre Blend sample. Contact her via her Facebook page Bellisima Fit or Instagram @bellisimafit for access to the sample workouts and to connect with an online community of fitness friends to help keep you motivated.
Consider a Fitness Tracker for Extra Motivation
When it comes to working out consistently, I’m most successful when I have an accountability partner who encourages me or a specific fitness challenge I want to complete. While I’ve used some fitness apps to track my activity and nutrition in the past, I’m considering purchasing a wearable fitness tracker that can help me better analyze my daily activity and improve my habits. I’d like the tracker I choose to have the capability to send me personalized tips and reminders to keep me motivated.
With so many different fitness trackers available on the market, I’m doing some research before I make a decision. This comprehensive guide to choosing the best fitness tracker for your health and fitness goals compiled by ConsumersAdvocate.org is a big help! Check it out if you’re looking for the right fitness tracker to match your lifestyle.
What tools and programs keep you motivated when it comes to health and fitness? Let’s stay healthy, motivated and adventurous together!
