Staying Strong in Quarantine: Affordable Options and Alternatives

Most of us are under some sort of stay at home order or quarantine. So let’s talk about to stay strong on a budget, and be sure we’re staying healthy.

Exercise

Kettlebells

I’ve spoken before about kettlebells, and how they are one of the most cost-effective training options available. With most gyms being closed these days due to the quarantine orders, this goes double.

A deceptively simple piece of equipment, there are nearly limitless applications for both strength and endurance training.

Bodyweight Exercise

Even if you are used to having access to a full set of weights and machines and suddenly don’t, that’s no excuse to slack off. Your own body is a perfectly viable exercise tool. If you are a more advanced lifter or athlete, challenge yourself by filling a backpack with heavy books or other objects.

On top of traditional things like push-ups and sit-ups, consider more advanced movements like burpees. If you can’t do 100 burpees in 10 minutes, then you have no business saying that you can’t be challenged by bodyweight exercise.

Lastly, there’s nothing stopping you from going outside and doing sprints or even just going for a long run.

Food

With shortages hitting striking everywhere, people are having to rely on cheaper and more easily stored food options. While I will never advocate going hungry simply to be “healthy,” I also don’t consider this an excuse to just eat frozen pizza for dinner every night either. Here are some options that will keep as long as you need them to, while also not breaking the bank.

Frozen Chicken Breasts

I personally get 10 pound bags of these at Costco. If you can afford a Costco or Sam’s Club membership, I recommend that you get one. You will pay far less overall for larger quantities of foods that you can keep frozen.If you can’t afford Costo or Sam’s, don’t have one near you, or simply want you patronize your local grocery store, they usually have reasonably large bags of some sort.

While it’s not always the most exciting food in the world, chicken is a staple for most lifters for a reason. High in protein, generally affordable, and can be seasoned in a variety of ways. Stock up on a few bags of these, and you won’t need to worry about your protein intake.

Frozen Vegetables

Another frozen, bagged staple you can get large versions of at bulk stores. There are smaller and more expensive per unit versions available at local stores. Either way, don’t try to buy fresh right now. Yes, frozen vegetables aren’t quite as appetizing or fresh as, well, fresh produce. They are, however, significantly less expensive, much safer, and keep longer. No matter how you get the them, don’t skip your vegetables.

Rice

Rice is a staple in multiple cultures for a reason. It is low cost, filling, and keeps for quite a while as long as you keep it dry. Go for brown over white when possible, and go for the large bags over any kind of fancy, name brand, pre-seasoned version.

Stay Safe Out There

I hope everyone is staying strong, staying safe, and most importantly, staying home. We will get through this. I and this community are here for anyone who needs to reach out.