We are living in an unprecedented time. We are also at a breaking point, each of us with concerns and struggles. No one is immune. No one is exempt. I want to think that no one is genuinely alone, but I know that is not true. Pasta on the Floor strives to add levity when there is often little to no chance of lightheartedness appearing.

“Recipe posts”

I have written several recipe posts over the years. The recipe play on words is intended to lighten a stressful situation, and by sharing my concerns, insecurities, and fears. I hope to connect with someone who may be going through a similar situation.

Here are a few of my previous “recipe posts’ if you feel so inclined to take a read:

• Recipe for a successful quarantine
• Recipe for a gym
• Recipe for a college student’s mom
• Recipe for…

The joy of gym friends and endorphins

Plain and simple, I need to go to the gym. I am not a basement with headphones exercise self-motivator. I can rouse myself from a dead sleep at 4:30 am to go to the gym because I will be with other people, in person, feeding off their energy.

Now we have a pandemic, and things have changed. We are in a world, quite frankly, of fear, anxiety, isolation, and mental strain. We cannot change it, so why lament over it. Our way of life is not changing soon, and this very well may be the way it is going forward.  We need to be able to workout with a mask. Ok, Enough said. Let’s get cooking!

Recipe for a pandemic work out with a mask

What you need:

• Two rounds of deep breathing
• One open mind
• Multiple friends- add as needed
• One energetic instructor. Suggestions:  Joanne, Heather, Jaime, Alisha
• One smile beneath the mask
• Transportation to the gym

Things to pack:

• One gym bag
• One full bottle of water
• Spin shoes of sneakers (is there a new pair in your future?)
• One clementine
• Two pieces of gum
• Two towels (Remember what it is like to sweat?)
• One mask (I have my Alabama Mask with Big Al. Roll Tide)
• Hand sanitizer

What to do

Set your early morning alarm as usual. If you are an evening workout enthusiast, make sure you are ready to go at the end of your workday. Ok, Let’s get in the car. I am not going to lie to you; I did experience some anxiety on the way to the gym the first time. It was not fear. I think it was more uncertainty. I’m not too fond of change, and this has turned me upside down. So, I had a little pep talk with myself, and I was on my way.

Drive up and park in your usual spot. It will feel more ‘normal.’ Before leaving your car, place the mask on your face covering your nose and mouth. Relax and breathe. Yes, breathe.

Once inside, you will check-in and get your temperature taken. If you are taking a class, you will receive an exquisitely colored hockey puck as your admission ticket. (Pucks can be easily sanitized rather than the old ‘card’)

Now do your thing. Tap elbows with your long-lost gym friends (nowhere near as good as a hug), and soon that old feeling of “I belong here, let’s kick some a*#” will return.

Be in this moment. Turn off work, school, fear, and anxiety, and just relax. Feel the music, connect with the instructor, and don’t think about it. Let your body remember what it’s like to work out like that.

Working out with a mask takes adjustment. It is like the first spin class all over again. You saddle up, and you’re a little nervous to see if you can do it. As time progresses, you feel stronger, more comfortable, and your girlie parts are no longer numb. You may need to step back a bit and regroup. That is what it’s like with a mask. Take those moments to regroup, and soon, you will know how your body works in this new workout environment.

When I got in my car and closed the door, my windows fogged from my elevated temperature and workout sweat! Mission accomplished. See you tomorrow.