2020 has presented itself as one of the most challenging years in modern history. CoVid-19 cases continue to rise, while the international healthcare sector continues to struggle through the storm of this global pandemic. Our lives have been affected in ways we never could have imagined. And though many consider this as a hopeless case, real opportunities for growth appear in adversity.

I have always aspired to achieve my #fitnessgoals. Like many of you, I spent hours at the gym and tried my best to have an ideal diet. And like many of you, I failed many times before. Who would’ve thought that I would achieve a remarkable fitness milestone this year?

When the strict community quarantine protocols were put in place back in March, all fitness gyms were not allowed to operate to control the spread of the virus. Outdoor physical activities were strictly prohibited as these are considered high-risk exposures.

So during the first few weeks of the quarantine, I did what a normal person would do, I Netflix’d and chilled the days away, unaware that although this is a relaxing activity, it also was, in a way, unproductive. And so after realizing that I will be stuck in this situation probably for the rest of the year, I got up and started to move one step at a time.

For many of us who spent months within the corners of our homes, the challenge is how to take better care of ourselves with the resources available. I started off with watching and following free exercise tutorials on YouTube; dancing, boxing, MMA, and other cardio exercises serve as fun alternatives to your usual gym classes. And then there’s the Minimalist Fitness program written by our very own Lorenz Luigi “Cho” Lim. This program focuses on achieving your fitness goals with minimal time spent working out. This serves as my “bible” in this transformation.

So I pressed on with this habit, even on days when I wanted to throw it all away and let the crisis consume me. I put one foot in front of the other and saw the weighing scale with improving numbers. I looked at the mirror, monitored my food intake and kept track of my activities. I saw the progress I was making so I continued. I did not give up.

Eventually I decided to share my progress with friends on social media and I realized that by doing this, I can also influence others to take care of themselves in spite of the limitations imposed by the situation. The feeling of helping others improve makes this fitness journey more worthwhile and meaningful. To date, I have lost 18lbs and have stayed within my ideal weight since the quarantine period started. I take pride now as I look back at the hard work and discipline it took to be a better and stronger version of myself.

We all have our own ways to stay healthy during this challenging time. And although staying fit often refers to physical fitness, remember that your mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and financial wellness all play an important role to achieve a holistic well-being. But these are topics for another good story, right?

Written by Ben Ayonon