Bro do you even lift?

It has been nearly four months since I have been to a gym... specifically a CrossFit gym. Now, if you at all know me... then you understand that this is a small tragedy.

I'll preference this by saying my mother (featured to your left) would kill me if I said anything other than not being able to see my family, specifically her, was the hardest part of this global pandemic. And you know what, that is at the top of my "shittiest parts of quarantine" list. However, I am lucky to have been able to work from home and keep my life rather stable during this time. SO I understand my privilege when I say that a close second to not seeing my family is not being able to go to the gym to workout.

Nothing makes me want to cheat on my very strict quarantining life than the thought of swinging by my CrossFit gym at 6:30am (I know, I know - Aly settle down, how wild a 6:30am workout class? What a quarantine rebel?). However, living as an at-risk individual makes that an "unwise decision" so... here I am on week 432 of at-home workouts. In the spirit of "C"rossFit here are three C's I miss about the gym:

1. Community. I joined a CrossFit gym, CrossFit Austin, about a week after moving to Austin. I have been so happy with the community of people at this place. From the owners and coaches to the members they are just good people.

2. Complaining. I'm a champ complainer, I fully understand that a positive attitude makes for a better performance. But I enjoy looking at a workout and rolling my eyes at the fact that I'm supposed to lift a certain amount of weight or do 2 more rounds then what seems necessary. Look, overall I'm a positive person but I'm calling it as I see it, if I am expected to do more than two thrusters in a workout... I'm going to make some kind of sarcastic comment.

3. Challenging myself. There is something about started your day with doing difficult things. Yes, I can do hard workouts from home, but hitting a great snatch at 7am or cranking out 10+ rope climbs gives you a sense of accomplishment... the rest of the day just seems easier when you have already done that.

I'm taking a minute to let it sink in (for myself) that I placed "complaining" above "Challenging myself" on this list or just the fact that I put "complaining" on this list... I've been removed from the world so long I miss complaining, waiting in lines, actually going to the grocery store, traffic (okay, I'm going to settle... I definitely don't miss traffic).

For my birthday present from my parents & myself I purchased a barbell and weights. Although this remained on back order for weeks. I just recently received the notification that it would be shipping. YAY! This video was from my very last day in the gym (queue tears).

This will change my workout regiment, as for the last four months I have really only had my steadfast best friend - 35lbs kettlebell. I felt as though I should take a moment to share some of my favorite "at-home" moves while in quarantine, before I enter my phase II of at-home workouts with a barbell.

1. The Push-Up. How f'n simple. But honestly, I just didn't do a ton of these prior and now I am doing them several times a week.

2. Jumping Lung Right. Jumping Lung Left. Jumping Squat. (Equals one set). I have learned to enjoy this movement... or set of movements. I think it gets the heart rate up a bit and can be a nice little leg burner.

3. Single Arm Snatch. I have become efficient at these with my kettlebell. If you have a kettlebell put this movement into your routine.

4. Return to Core. I use to do A LOT of core work as a gymnast. Then once getting into CrossFit, it was rare to just do a traditional lay on the ground and do some abs workout. But I have returned to it... I definitely don't have my gymnast-Aly core.

5. "Up-Downs" Okay, I'm not sure if these have a better name. But basically doing an elbow plank and then pushing yourself into a push-up position and then back down to an elbow plank (equals one). These are a surprisingly good workout, like they aren't grueling, but throw these in with some burpees and kettlebell work and you will feel it!

I know ALL of us have had major changes during this time. I am trying to commit to a higher level of cardio endurance instead of focusing on strength gains, but if I learned anything from my half marathon experience it's that I hate running. So I keep the running to a max 5k run a few times a week, and instead go for longer circuit workouts.

I hope you all have found your own routine of working out... even it isn't quite as great as it was in your pre-pandemic world.

Advice: If you aren't warming up and stretching after you workout (at some point that day)... you are fool. That's all I have to say on the topic.