How to Keep Fit as a ‘Vulnerable Person’ During Lockdown.

Hello, pleased to meet you, my name is Poppy, and I have Cystic Fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis is a chronic respiratory condition which I was diagnosed with at 2 weeks old. Being a very fit and active person helps me to deal with my condition and manage it better. However, due to the current pandemic, I find myself isolating for the foreseeable future!

Sport is a huge part of my life and I had some pretty big events and goals coming up. However, that has all been placed on hold, which has made it harder to motivate myself to keep training and maintain my fitness.

Whether your sporting and physical goals were competing nationally, or simply losing a couple pounds, coronavirus has made it significantly harder for all of us. Throw being classed as extremely vulnerable into the mix and it’s a wonder I haven’t completely given up!

“However, I decided not to throw in the towel, and to use the pandemic as an opportunity to try some different ways of working out. ”

I have set myself fitness goals for lockdown, such as target times for running and learning to headstand, because why not?!

I am also using this as a chance to practice more Yoga and Pilates, which I have always enjoyed but didn’t often get the chance to do. One of the best things about doing virtual Pilates and Yoga is that classes are at a set time every week. Therefore, even if I’m having a day where all hope seems lost and I have zero motivation to workout, I will still do Pilates or Yoga as I have already booked onto it.

This means that I will still have done something to keep fit, even when in a low mood.

“Plus, I find exercise generally improves my mood. If my mood is low and I do a virtual class, I will feel better afterwards. It also means I see a few different faces each week as well!”

When the weather is nice, I have do the virtual classes in our garden. This is a great opportunity to do a class outside, which in normal life is rare!

 I find doing it outside really enjoyable, and a bonus is it’s a great opportunity to tan! Plus, for those that are perhaps more spiritual yogis, in my mother’s words, “doing yoga outside gives you a chance to truly connect with the earth”. I find that yoga and Pilates are helping my balance and flexibility, which is helping perfect my handstands.

Therefore, helping me get closer to completing my lockdown challenges!

Whilst I know I cannot keep at peak fitness during lockdown, I still want to keep reasonably fit so it will be easier to resume my sports and training when I can. But whilst in lockdown, I’m finding it good to have some challenges, such as learning to headstand, and having set class times, as it means whatever my mood, I know I will have done something to keep fit.