Exercise is medicine and fitness is self defense

So, I've been really bothered by what I've been seeing in my Facebook feed. You know, how it just kinda seems like you notice more and more of your friends sharing the same stuff or saying the same thing?

My feed seems to be loaded with friends or acquaintances participating in large outings. Sometimes - going to dinner with a large group other times participating in all out parties or events. Sometimes in masks. Most times not.

It wouldn't be so bad, but at the same time, I and many other fitness studio owners are all watching in panic as our student enrollment drops. And I'm not just talking boutique studios. I'm talking YMCA, Gold's, Crunch you name it. We're all grossly down some of us 80%.

It's bad from a financial standpoint - of course, but the most disheartening or sickening part is that these numbers represent the loss of society's health and fitness compass.

It's as though people are saying I'm willing to take the risk of catching COVID to hang onto my social life - but not enough to keep my gym membership.

I worry so much about this. I mean - did everyone just forget that exercise and eating healthy are proven medicines in the fight against all kinds of diseases, not to mention the mental health benefits? What the hell people?

Then, I was sent the best Instagram post from a guy named Alwyn Cosgrove. He said, "COVID isn't going away. Until there's a vaccine, it seems like we could all become infected. Whether you're skinny, muscular or obese but obesity increases risk of hospitalization and possible death by 40-90%."

Read that shit again! "40-90%."

Cosgrove is nailing it. He goes on to say, "Exercise is medicine and fitness is self defense." 

BOOM. Drops mic.

So, how does Cosgrove know this? A study just came out from UNC and it found that people with a BMI over 30 were at a 113% greater risk of hospitalization from COVID, and 74% more likely to go to the ICU. I mean - if that doesn't scare you, what does?

And in case you need a study closer to home: UVA researchers suggest exercise can reduce a person's risk of even contracting COVID-19.

Want to read the blog post for yourself? Here's the link. 

I say all that to say this: Get your ass in a fitness program. If not mine - someone's and start now. COVID is here to stay people, and I need you around to fight the good fight with me.