One Woman’s Journey With COVID-19 Recovery
By: Priya Sridhar
Tags: Covid 19 Crisis, Health, Covid 19, Exercise

Marisel is a mother of two, who was recently looking to get back into a fitness routine. But she was having problems committing to her workouts, having neither the time nor the headspace.

Then the pandemic happened. Marisel quickly found that she had tested positive for COVID-19 and despite having no preexisting conditions or autoimmune issues, found herself hospitalized for oxygen support and medication — even coming close to ending up in the ICU.

A Time to Heal

In the hospital, Marisel could only rest and let her body recover. It was a scary time, since she didn’t know if she would get better, and what would she do if and when that happened. She spent her time watching TED talks, to nurture her mind as well as to find out what she could do to become healthier. Marisel learned that stress can negatively impact the brain, causing higher cortisol levels and potential heart attacks. But with regular exercise, she learned she could reduce stress, and strengthen her immune system, helping her recover from her condition.

Despite Marisel getting discharged two weeks after the hospital admitted her, she needed a full seven weeks to become well enough to exercise. She was having trouble breathing, which is a common problem associated with COVID patients attempting cardiovascular exercise, along with pneumonia and blood clots.

A New Commitment to Fitness

Earlier in the year, Marisel had signed up for Studio SWEAT onDemand, a streaming fitness service offering indoor cycling workouts, among many others. Before her devastating experience with COVID-19, Marisel lacked the motivation to commit to working out from home. But once released from the hospital and fully recovered, she found herself newly inspired to take it seriously.

Marisel set up her home exercise bike and began to ride. By mid-August, Marisel had developed a familiar routine, attending classes 6 days a week, getting on her bike at a designated time, and working with various instructors. Studio SWEAT onDemand’s worldwide community of members played a huge part in her motivation, helping her push harder, pedal faster and remember to get on every day. Liking the trainers is one of Marisel’s secrets to staying committed.

“The stories their trainers tell during class, show you that everything you are doing is a step in the right direction on this journey,” she explains.

As of December 2020, Marisel is proud to say that she has stuck with her routine. She continues to work out 6 days a week, focusing on the journey and not the destination with health and weight loss. She also does one-on-one sessions with the trainers if time allows.

The Pandemic’s Effect on Fitness

The pandemic has necessitated the closure of gyms, yoga studios, and all other group fitness classes as of March. Gyms were one of the hardest hit during lockdown, even as restrictions loosened. Currently, gyms are still a risk, especially for people who are immunosuppressed. It is in this context that virtual fitness classes have emerged, being an effective option for anyone looking to work out from home.

Many of us are reflecting on everything that happened in 2020; it’s been both scary and sad for those who have contracted severe forms of the virus, or who have loved ones in the hospital. Not everyone has recovered, and we all worry about what happens next.

We also know that working out is a key factor in keeping us healthy. And since not one workout fits all, the trick is to find a fitness routine that works for us, and develop a schedule for it.

Marisel’s story is not uncommon — around the country, people are finding new ways to stay healthy and fit. And with the rise of onDemand fitness, there seems to be a light at the end of this tunnel.

Disclaimer: Studio SWEAT onDemand reached out to me with this story, with Marisel’s permission to tell her story.