5 Tips For How to Stay Fit As a Recluse Or Homebody

Whether you’re stuck inside to follow COVID-19 quarantine recommendations or making a lifestyle choice to remain indoors because you want to, the fact is, you still should aim to remain (relatively) healthy, right? Right. But how exactly do you do that? When you aren’t as active, there are tons of effects on your body that aren’t obvious.

The main concern being that you’re more likely to get sick. Your body might also feel stiff and you’ll have less energy the less active you are. The good news is, even if you’re at home you can maintain a healthy fitness routine, all it takes is the effort to discover what works for you in a new environment.

Find Out Your Workout Preference

The first step to establishing a new routine should always be to ask yourself what would fit your personal preference. Are you used to going to the gym on the daily? Do you use certain exercise equipment? Do you require certain things to become motivated to work out? Think about the most effective methods you’ve used to work out in the past and try to adapt them to a home environment.

If you’re a fan of cardio sessions and used to machinery like treadmills or ellipticals, try using the stairs in your home if you have them, or a stepping stool. Think about the common items you have around your place that could substitute for the pricier tools at the gym. If you need to work on strength, there are many affordable options out there like dumbbells or resistance bands.

If you enjoy exercise classes and the group component to working out, you can make use of online ones through specific services or free, high-quality videos through YouTube. There are also quite a number of popular workout apps like Nike Training Club or YogaGlo there you can use not only at home, but anywhere you happen to be anytime.

Dedicate A Space For Activity

It’s not exactly a secret anymore that we tend to be less focused at home because our mind associates the space with relaxation (ahem, binging Netflix), doing chores, or whatever else you tend to do at home versus anywhere else. If you aren’t already accustomed to working out and getting good results (at least close to the results and impact of a workout at the gym), then you’ll first need to choose a space that can function as your dedicated workout area, at least temporarily while you’re exercising.

If you live in a smaller space like an apartment, sometimes the biggest area you have available is one you use for entertainment or rest, like your living room or bedroom. If that’s the case, you can make other changes that shifts your mind into workout mode.

Try changing into workout attire that will motivate you just by the feeling of wearing it. You can set up an exercise mat and play music that further inspires you to get moving or have a specific activity beforehand that you do like taking a minute to meditate or stretches. In that way, you give your body and mind some notice and time to ease into the new activity in a familiar place.

Establish A Routine + Mix It Up

If you feel pretty good about the routines you’ve established at home, that’s a great sign – but it’s also a sign to consider mixing things up from time to time. If you get too comfortable doing the exact same exercises your body might not experience the same benefits it did when you first started your daily routines.

This is due to the repetition of targeting the same muscle groups and over time you’ll lose less and less calories with each workout. That’s why it’s crucial to change your routine every month or so, not only to get the most out of your workouts but to avoid wearing out your body or damaging it in other ways.

The fact that you change your routine will also help you stay dedicated to working out in the same space you live in and use for the rest of the day. Even small changes like doing the same type of exercise, but incorporating a new movement could invigorate you.

Get a (Virtual) Workout Buddy

One of the hardest things about being home all the time is that you might or might not be around other people as much as you’re used to, especially if you’re living alone. If you’re accustomed to working out with a friend or going to group classes that feeling can be difficult to replace, even by watching pre-recorded workout videos with 10+ people and the host yelling at the camera/ you to push it harder.

A quick and handy remedy to this issue is asking a friend to join you on video to work out. It never hurts to ask and the person doesn’t necessarily have to be your normal workout buddy. If you live with other people, that’s an easy opportunity to have someone that can motivate you and help you stay on track of your fitness goals.

There is also, of course, the option of paying someone to join you in a one-on-one virtual workout session. Services like FlexIt and Forge Fitness help with matching you to a personal trainer, you can also find local fitness professionals on your own and reach out to them through directory websites like Thumbtack and Yelp.

Don’t Forget Your Diet

Some things never change, which means even if your world has turned upside down and you find yourself working out at home for the first time or being forced to – you should always pair a fitness protocol with a proper diet.

The amount of energy you’re capable of expending while working out is determined by your diet. As you start to become more active, you should consider whether you’re consuming enough protein to retain that new level of exertion.

A positive point in this is that you’re likely spending a lot more time cooking since you’re home (or ordering takeout every other day, which is relatable!) and you might have more time to prepare your own meals. This naturally gives you more control over what you include in your meals and when you consume them.

Try to minimize your consumption of processed foods as much as possible, which can slow down your progress when trying to get in shape or stay that way. Think about your fitness goals and what a specific nutrition plan can do to help you reach them. Protein and fiber are ideal when you’re trying to lose weight. Lean protein, in particular, plays an important role in building up muscle and helping you feel full and avoid overeating, which is also a significant deterrent to your goals.





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Antoinette Maven

"Antony" Maven is a contributing writer for SimpleHermit.com and identifies as an INFP. She loves to hike with her dog, write poetry, find hidden gems in her small town, and read her nights away.