In case you did not get the memo, it is perfectly okay to do something else than just cuddle and snuggle when it is raining and cold outside. There is nothing in every downpour that says you should stay in bed in your pajamas, sip hot chocolate, watch TV, read a book, and be lazy all day. Nothing.
In fact, let’s go back to the beginning. When you decided to live in a condominium community, you checked out all the free condo amenities and told yourself: “I am going to the gym everyday.” You clearly had a fitness game plan while living in the city all figured out. But of course, you got busy and woke up late and what do you know, it starts raining.
Again, what does the rain have to do with anything? Of course, you can’t run in your condo’s jogging paths or pedal around the city’s bike lanes. But you certainly can exercise in your condo and perform some fitness activities even if it’s raining. Most of these activities do not even require gym equipment. So stop making up all those excuses, get up, and stick to the plan.
Just dance
Once in a while, trade your Game of Thrones DVDs to Fitness DVDs. You probably own at least one of those and tried playing them once or twice. Well, this season is perfect to play them again and give them much-deserved attention. Zumba, hip hop, jazz, or belly dancing — start moving. And just dance.
Exercise time is play time
If you are stuck in the condo with the kids whose classes have just been cancelled, do your best to keep them active (while doing yourself a healthy favor, too). Add a fun factor by involving the kids in your fitness game plan and do some exercises in your condo without feeling like you are actually seriously working out. Bring out the jump rope and hula-hoops, and start jumping and twirling. Another fitness tip while living in a condo is incorporating games. Try playing Follow the Leader and keep the movements, like stomping or squatting, energetic. You may also do Animal Races, like hop like a bunny or squat and waddle like a duck. Or try to hit two birds with one stone by setting up a timer and whoever cleans their room the fastest wins.
Clean and get fit
You are stuck at home so you might as well clean up. Mopping, vacuuming, cleaning kitchen drawers and arranging clothes in the closet are no easy tasks. These activities will get your body moving for several hours. And you will not only bust out calories, you’ll also have a very productive time.
Give it a kick
Have you ever tried kickboxing? You might need a trainer, but what can Google and YouTube not teach you these days? But don’t go all Bruce Lee all at once and remember to start small. In your condo, find a spot where you can kick and move a little. There’s got to be a space somewhere. According to Sammie Kennedy, CEO and creator of Femme Fitale in Canada, kickboxing works out both the upper and lower body and focuses on core movements that will also help tone the body. Get this: kickboxing burns some 750 calories in an hour and effectively burns belly fat.
Saved by the bell
After kicking, why not do some swinging? Pick up a set of kettlebells and perform indoor exercises with them. This is a combination of strength training and cardio. It is also a calorie buster. A study found that in a 20-minute kettlebell workout, participants can burn as much as 20 calories per minute. That is the equivalent of running a six-minute mile pace.
Water bottle weights
If you don’t have kettlebells, you can substitute water bottles while exercising. Fill two 500 mL or 1 L bottles with water and use these while doing bicep roll curls and watching TV. Do some squats with them, too. This is a very easy fitness activity that you can do even if it’s raining or while you are watching a series marathon. It will work up your arms, shoulders, and back.
No commercial break
This is a fun exercise to do. If you are watching something on cable, turn commercial breaks into your fitness minute. Among the exercises you can do are the elementary throwback jumping jacks, running in place, high knees or bringing your knees as high and as fast as you can, or planking.
Get down on the floor
Photo courtesy of marymccraft via Pixabay
Stretch out your exercise mat on the floor and get ready to flex some muscles. You can do push-ups to work your core and triceps. You may place your knees on the floor to make things easier. There are also skaters or leaps wherein you get into a semi-squat position and leap sideways landing on your right then left foot. You can also do planks, lunges, sit-ups and the superman where you lay on your stomach and stretch arms forward as if you are flying. Practicing yoga is also good.
Use the stairs and the hall
The stairs are a good place for exercise. Most condo units do not really have stairs but you can use the building stairs. This is one way to keep your body active and work up a sweat. If you don’t want to go out of your condo unit, you can pile up books or use a low but sturdy chair.
Aside from stair stepping, you may also do lunges down the hallway. Lunge forward then back into place. You are surely going to feel the intense burn in your legs. At home, you do lunges when going from room to room. You can also hold down weights to increase the level of difficulty.
You may also walk down the hallway from floor to floor or under any covered condo amenity area. According to the American Heart Association, 30 minutes of walking reduces risk of coronary heart diseases and improves blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Daily walking also reduces the risks of certain cancers and osteoporosis, and helps maintain body weight.
Hit the condo’s gym
Photo Courtesy of DMCI Homes
Most condos in the Philippines have a gym that can be used by its residents for free. Some are open 24 hours to fit every working lifestyle. The condo gym is just right outside your doorstep and waiting for you to make the move. No membership, no travel time, no insane packing, and no extra pressure to look good. Just put on your sweat pants and rubber shoes, and hit the treadmill.
Losing weight and setting health goals are among the most popular resolutions at anytime and anywhere in the world. Don’t ignore it just because it is raining and your bed is more inviting. Let the rainy season not be a reason to be unproductive and unhealthy.