Quarantine Week 11: Northern VA Enters Phase 1

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To all of our clients at APF:

Many of you have been asking about reopening, when that might happen and what it might look like.  Paulo and I of course have been talking about this frequently and we want to share our thoughts.


Phase 1 here in Arlington and surrounding areas does NOT include gyms and fitness facilities except in limited out door capacity so we will definitely not be considering opening  until the governor allows fitness facilities to open.  In a sense we are lucky not to be included in the first wave of reopening as it gives us a chance to assess how the situation progresses. Watching the reopening of other services will give us a sense of the progression of a possible resurgence of Covid-19 in this area and steps we may be able to take to prevent this at APF.

The most important thing we have to consider in reopening is the health of our clients and ourselves.   Our main concern is to keep all of usl safe and healthy.  When we do begin the process of reopening  we, of course, will ensure that we are following ALL protocol put out by the state and our fitness associations. This will include intensive cleaning and sanitizing of the gym and studio. It may require staggering clients as needed. Additionally, all group exercise classes will be suspended for an additional indetermined time.

Many clients  are  really enjoying the virtual training  and may decide to continue this way because it fits their lifestyle  and they are finding great advances in their personal fitness .  We welcome those of you who want to continue in this manner!  Because of cleaning protocols and managing times for so many clients it may be necessary to shift your favorite workout times when we do reopen.

As we watch the rest of Virginia reopen and Northern Virginia enter Phase 1 we will continue to assess the safety of reopening APF. We of course will keep you apprised as to our decision making process. In the meantime, keep up with your virtual workouts and stay fit!

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We Made it Through Two Months

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Happy Monday!

We have made it through two months of quarantine. Wow. Can you believe it? Over half way through May! As some parts of the country begin to ease quarantine restrictions we may start to feel a sense of need to return to normalcy and yet many of us are still fearful about even returning to a modified “normal” routine. APF is yet not ready to think about in person training, so we will continue with our virtual workouts and encouraging every one to participate in one way or another.

If you are feeling that your workouts are a bit harder as time creeps on do not be surprised. You are NOT alone and you are NOT losing fitness. Warmer weather and the state of mental fatigue you may be experiencing can make your workouts seem harder and slower. Stress is stress, regardless of where it comes from. Always listen to your body and give yourself grace for taking it a little easier now and then.

That being said, there has been some VERY good news about exercise research recently. Maybe some of these highlights will give you encouragement to keep up with your routine!

  1. Research encourages intermittent workouts. Intermittent exercise means small workouts periodically during the day. The new research shows that these intermittent workouts provide benefits both mentally and physically. Aim to be active at least every hour. Do a few pushups on the counter, a few squats during your phone calls, get down and up off the floor a few times between zoom meetings! You decide your exercises, weights and reps, just a few minutes at a time. By doing this you can also start to change the perception your brain has of gym sessions being painful and make an association with them being normal instead. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/with-gyms-closed-try-intermittent-workouts-you-might-even-get-more-out-of-them/2020/04/22/8e7f6f4e-84cd-11ea-878a-86477a724bdb_story.html?utm_campaign=wp_lean_and_fit&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_lean)

  2. A new study (and this is timely right?) finds that in a generally healthy, yet sedentary group of adults, working out lowers levels of depression, hostility and other negative feelings.

    “The study also finds that the mood benefits of exercise can linger for weeks after people stop working out, offering another compelling reason for us to try to move”. (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/well/move/coronavirus-exercise-depression-anxiety-mood.html?campaign_id=18&emc=edit_hh_20200511&instance_id=18378&nl=well&regi_id=77041091&segment_id=27203&te=1&user_id=d3e5008daea1eb59b2226a9588150b5b)

  3. This research ties into this next cool study that shows walking increases creativity whether outdoors OR indoors on a treadmill. A new study by Stanford found that people generated far more creative ideas while walking than sitting and that walking indoors or outdoors similarly boosted creative inspiration. "A person walking indoors—on a treadmill in a room facing a blank wall—or walking outdoors in the fresh air produced twice as many creative responses compared to a person sitting down.” So if you need some fresh ideas for that work project, for homeschooling your kids or redesign your garden, start walking! (https://news.stanford.edu/2014/04/24/walking-vs-sitting-042414/)

In summary, give yourself a break if your workouts seem additionally hard right now and just MOVE!

Entering Week 5 of Covid Quarantine

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Happy Monday!

Looking back over the past week I have observed that while some things may be the same they feel so different. While most couples are getting used to spending more time together, Paulo & I are actually spending more time apart. We cannot virtually train people in the same room, so he goes to his “gym” and I go to mine. Somewhere along the way we trade locations, alternating between standing, sitting & pacing. We have never spent so much time NOT STANDING! And although we are not physically spotting or moving weights, we find ourselves fatigued at the end of the day. Both of us are finding that virtual training is mentally challenging: trying to be motivational and creative through a screen is very different. Still, we are both so grateful that our clients are willing to go out on a limb and do things completely different in order to keep in the best shape possible. I have to brag and say that some of our clients are actually finding themselves stronger and fitter from mixing up their routines and joining in my virtual classes!

During these crazy times when negative thoughts can easily come creeping in, I am trying to be proud of my smaller accomplishments. Going to the grocery, baking a loaf of bread, cooking a good meal and cleaning the bathrooms are not things I would ordinarily celebrate. Now I am trying celebrate these accomplishments with a thumbs up, a pat on the back or a “yea!” (Taking a page from one of my favorite blogs https://www.bjfogg.com)

There are also some blessings in this quarantine that I focus on when emotions go awry:

  1. Less Traffic (and in turn a great break for our earth! Have you seen some of the photos?)

  2. Seeing neighbors I have never seen and families out and about enjoying some time together

  3. More time to read, cook and pursue my long list of hobbies

  4. Less stress on my runs because I have nothing to hurry home to do

  5. Less urgency to “DO” everything on my to do list

  6. More puppy time for Sophie & Honey

  7. More time to communicate with all of my children

  8. More time to read and interact with my grand babies, virtually. This makes my day, every day!

  9. Reaching out to and working out with so many people far and near in my virtual classes. This really makes my week !

Small things make a big difference. What accomplishments are you proud of this week? Celebrate them with style! What blessings have you found during this quarantine that you can focus on when negative thoughts creep in? Make a list, add to it and take a look at it regularly!

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Quarantine Enters Week 4

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  Happy Monday!

As we enter week 4 of social distancing, I am finding that I do much better when I set a schedule for the day ahead.  I schedule my runs, workouts & dog walks around my virtual clients and classes.  Each morning I check my schedule and  make a list of to do’s involving the business and housework but also making sure I set aside time for reading, needlework and cooking as these are the things that give me pleasure in my leisure time.  I have listened to many of you who are also trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in these uncertain times.  A lot of you have suggested that the one of the hardest things is to continue their habits of drinking enough water and not snacking too much or on foods that should be minimized.

While reading Gretchen Rubin (www.gretchenrubin.com) last week I came across her tips to curb snacking while quarantined.  I loved them so much, I am going to share them here.

  1. Monitoring: Track your Snacks!  Measure before you eat!

  2. Inconvenience: The less convenient snacking is, the less likely we are to do it. (Keep snacks in closed containers, up in your pantry, in the back of the fridge.  If some one in your house is eating your weakness, move to a different room!)

  3. Abstaining: For some of us, it is easier to give something up altogether rather than                  indulge in moderation.

  4. Distraction: Wait 15 minutes; your craving will pass and you are likely to get absorbed in another activity. 

  5. Scheduling: Pick a special time to enjoy your favorite snack

  6. Accountability: Tell someone else what you are eating and drinking

  7. Loophole-spotting: Watch out for ways you might be excusing unhealthy behavior.

Please let us know how else we can help during these uncertain times.  If you have not joined us for a virtual workout, please do!  It is working very well for so many of our clients, friends & family across the globe! No previous experience required, all levels welcome!

Our Virtual Class Schedule (no equipment necessary!) is as follows:

  1. Monday 8:30 Core Boot Camp

  2. Wednesday 4pm HIIT Boot Camp

  3. Saturday 9am HIIT Boot Camp

You can register right on our website!

Virtual Hugs,
Stephanie