If you read the book you will learn (or be reminded) the fact that the obstacle becomes the new way. I bring this book up because of the virus in our midst that has changed our lives abruptly and drastically. So many of us want to reduce risks of acquiring the virus — and preventing sickness is basic survival and makes perfect sense. To do so, in the case of this COVID19, requires that we limit our exposure to a wide variety of people. This is the obstacle — this limitation to crowd and group exposure. Thus we must adapt! For the last 5 months we have mostly isolated ourselves away from other people and when in the presence of other people we wear masks. Out of the total US population of 330.1 million people (as of 8/15/2020, Census.gov) COVID19 is reported as responsible for 167,546 deaths in the US (CDC.gov). I believe, had we not adapted for our survival many more of us would have died.
For 330.1 million of us there have been 330.1 million individual and unique methods of adapting to this unique situation of physical distancing from others. Wow! Imagine if we adapted to other situations that were not driven by fear of death? Imagine what we could adapt to enrich our lives, communities, and relationships! This is a startlingly real potential!
I will write about different ways I have adapted during COVID19 lock down in the weeks ahead. For now I have a couple adaptations I have made to minimize exposure to public places while at the same time maintaining and even exceeding my previous healthy lifestyle practices:
The gym adaptation is non-negotiable for me right now, I will wait it out a while longer. If I can workout without a mask I am much happier. And, I don’t believe wearing a mask while sweating and hard breathing is preventing the spread of a virus. For these reasons I workout at home or outside very effectively. And I train clients via a video connection very effectively. We are all getting results — maybe even better than a gym! Saving time and money driving to and from the gym is a big plus — a post workout shower is clean and closer too!
The restaurant — bar adaptation is probably less important, for me, than the gym adaptation —I’ve been out to restaurants a few times the last 5 months. I have found that take out and eating outside at a clean restaurant is pretty easy and safe to do. Eating more home cooked meals is a known health benefit — because you know every ingredient you use in you own dishes. For home cooking I have two approaches. One approach are preparing simply delicious and quick meals. Some examples of low prep and clean up meals I make are skillet vegetables with seared Alaskan salmon — super satisfying. Then there is a group activity dish or dishes that are fun to bring everyone in the kitchen to help prepare. One of my go-to fun dishes are Baja Tacos. These are amazing and made with all homemade almond flour tacos, slow roasted pork and duck, slaw, jalapeños, avocado. So good and so fun to make for the whole family.
Do you want to learn more about cooking? You can sign up with me and learn how to make nutrient-rich dishes! And, I have videos and recipes on this website. I coach nutrition remotely also – sign up with me and get started now!
There are more adaptations I make for self care and relationship connections that I will talk about another day.
Bonus! A healthy lifestyle builds a strong immune system that can reduce risk for disease. Get your exercise and food game on better than ever — now is the best time to start!
Lean into adaptation and find ways to enrich your health and life — thrive because we are grateful to be alive!
Yours in Health,
Stephanie CPT, CN
