Michael Canzian

Despite having a busy schedule, I find a way to include working out in my daily routine. I recognize that “health is wealth.”  A healthy well-being is greater than any other internal and external benefits. Being healthy means having more time with my family, more chances to learn, and more opportunities for success and well-being. Most especially during the pandemic, COVID-19 showed that infection rates were sometimes higher for those fighting obesity and other diseases making health and fitness even more important despite the fact that staying fit does not guarantee safety or immunity. Aside from wearing face masks, following social distancing and staying vigilant with regard to cleanliness helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle during these challenging times.  Committing one to a healthy body and mind, even during COVID, is essential.

Given that working out increases blood flow throughout the body, running, cycling, and swimming are some of the usual and best forms of cardio exercise to get the body moving. These disciplines are also some of my favorite ways of staying fit. It is known that regular exercise can strengthen our immune system, allowing it to fight off infections and diseases. It was reported that “exercise benefits your immune system in many ways through increased blood flow which helps to clear bacteria from airways, elevate body temperature that may be protective in nature, strengthen antibodies to help fight infection, and reduce stress hormones.” Through exercising, we are conditioning our bodies to perform effectively. This is important given that bodies can acclimate to laziness and fatigue, and overlooking this malaise may cause potential problems in the future such as a poor immune system, weakened muscles, heart problems, diabetes, and obesity. With COVID-19 around us, having a healthy immune system is important to maximizing individual protection against the virus.

If exercising outdoors is out of the question, working out at home can also be done. Weight-lifting is another favorite of mine. I set goals of regular lifting routines (4-5 times per week) along with cardio exercises so that I can maximize muscle size and strength in addition to building my endurance. Aside from the benefits of weight training to the physical body, it also improves our metabolism, digestive system, immune system, and cognitive process. It has also been proven that lifting weights releases endorphins that affect our mood in a positive way–making us feel happier and less stressed. Given that my hobbies include cooking, I recognized that staying fit also allows me to increase my food intake, and while I always strive to eat healthy (lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, low glycemic foods), having a regular workout schedule allows for the occasional treat or cheat meal to maintain sanity and rejuvenate ones commitment to jumping back on track.  

The pandemic has definitely allowed us to realign our values, perspectives, and interests. Numerous people have started their fitness journeys as they realized the importance of being healthy due to the impact of COVID-19 on the chronically ill (I strongly suggest those looking to lose weight to consider Optavia). We all have had more time indoors which meant more time to start or reconnect with ones hobbies. Despite fewer reported COVID-19 cases and the efficacy of the vaccines, we should continue to be aware of individual actions that may help in mitigating the pandemic such as physical fitness. In essence, the crisis transformed people’s perspective on fitness with more attempting fitness in their own homes. Investing in our health is the best way for us to strengthen our ability to fight off any infections or diseases that we may eventually acquire. –Michael Canzian