“I’m too busy with work.”
“I don’t have time.”
“I’ll workout out later.”
Those excuses no longer apply to a sports editor during a global, viral pandemic.
At this time last year, I was working six to seven days a week during the Prince Albert Raiders’ run to their Ed Chynoweth Cup. Exercising didn’t make the cut for my priorities list. Finding stats, getting interviews, writing stories and making sure I had a constant source of coffee were much more important at that time.
That situation is a lot different now. My calendar which was once full of Green and Gold Raider games is now blank and white.
My girlfriend Mira got back into CrossFit in town at Pure Athletics last fall and since then, she’s gently hinted for me to join her or start doing a class or two since. Up until March, I refrained each occasion by going back to my well of excuses.
But when Pure Athletics started streaming their workouts online and we could follow them along in our living room, Mira said “we’re doing it together.” With my excuses no longer applying, I had little reason to say no.
I’m lucky for a million reasons to be with Mira. Without her, I’d still be in my laidback Jeff phase. The closest I’d get to exercising was playing NHL or FIFA games on Xbox. I’d never be too far from a bottle of beer or a bowl of chips. It was fun and carefree way of living — but I now have a ‘dad bod’ and am not yet a dad.
It’s time to add in a little exercise to that list, at the very least.
So March 21, we did a workout — my first actual workout in forever.
And I kinda threw myself right into the fire. We’re talking air squats, power cleans, BURPEES! I forgot how much I hate burpees. Whoever invented that form of exercise is pure evil.
Following said workout, I couldn’t stand up without cursing Pure Athletic’s Whitney or Josh Kapacila, who designed that body-destroying routine. The entire back and side of my legs were a stiff, immovable mess. Mira was laughing at me with how slow and deliberately I laboured around our apartment.
That’s when I found out how important stretching is. I’m pretty sure I still wouldn’t be able to walk if it wasn’t for some clutch hamstring and pigeon stretches.
I’m only in my sixth week of working out, so I’m far from an expert. But each one is getting a little easier. That pesky beer gut is already starting to shrink, my shirts are fitting way better and I’m the proud new owner of actual thigh muscles.
I’m easily in the best shape that I’ve been in since I was 20, and I can’t wait to keep going. Whenever this situation ends and we can get back in the gym, I’m definitely going to sign up.
But the pandemic has affected everybody in a different way. Many people are trying to figure out how they can pay their rent after they’ve lost their jobs, or their wages have been scaled back. Healthcare professionals are working themselves to the bone while putting themselves directly in harm’s way. The virus has impacted many people and their loved ones.
There are certainly bigger concerns out there then figuring out how long you can hold a plank.
But I find myself in a very lucky situation, still employed and in a safe situation. I’ve been given more time to try new things and CrossFit has actually helped me get through this pandemic. I’m not thinking about what I could be doing in ‘normal times. Instead, I’m looking forward to my next workout, my next run, my next lifesaving pigeon stretch.
This pandemic sucks, there’s no doubt about that. Get through it however you can.
But if you’re in a position to find a cool new thing to do, seize that opportunity. I’m so glad I did.
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On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW
