With the gyms closed, events canceled and everyone trying to do their part to blunt the coronavirus pandemic by practicing social distancing, maintaining a fitness mindset is a struggle.

Many people are fighting the urge to snack and nap to cope with the pandemic unknowns and disruptions that have us yearning for normalcy.

Health experts say a good diet and exercising are important components to maintain sanity and to keep the immune system strong against the coronavirus.

So, for inspiration, we turned to the Defenderโ€™s Fit & Fine fitness enthusiasts for tips to keep the weight off and maintain fitness:

Keep it fun

โ€œParticipate in social media challenges, enjoy outdoor exercises and connect with trainers for virtual workout sessions.โ€ โ€“ Joy Diggs

 

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Many people are working from home and most gyms have closed around the country. We still need to get our workouts in! . . I put together a home workout that you can do with two bottles of water. If you have dumbbells and prefer heavier weight, feel free to use those, as well! . . This workout is a mix or cardio and strength training and is a moderate intensity 30-min workout. . . So get up and get moving! I even recommend taking your equipment outside to get some fresh air and enjoy the sunlight โ˜€๏ธ???????????? ____ #fitnesspro #fitnesstrainer #fitnessfam #melaninfitness #fitnesslove #fitnesstips #fitnessgoal #fitnesswomen #fitnessislife #nutritiontips #nutritionplan #nutritioniskey #nutritionist #weightloss #weightlossjourney #weightlossideas #weightlossmotivation #weightlosshelp #weightlosscoach #healthyweightloss #healthjourney #homeworkouts #homeworkout #houstonnutritionist #houstonpersonaltrainer #houstondietitian #houstonfitnesscoach #coronavirus

A post shared by Joy Diggs- Weight Loss (@diggdeepfitness) on

โ€œSet aside 30 minutes daily to be #CoronaFit and #CoronaFine. Set up a room or area in your home just for working out. Find a good kettlebell workout or participate in some of the fitness challenges on Instagram.โ€- Stevie Brown

โ€œGet an accountability partner and check in daily. Post your own exercise videos and tag others to jump in with you. When you motivate others, you unknowingly motivate yourself to keep pushing forward.โ€ โ€“ Ian Buchanan

โ€œPull out those rollerblades โ€“ yes, I know you have a pair! Remember how much fun it was [to rollerblade]?โ€ โ€“ Chichi Nwaorie

Stick to a schedule, goals

โ€œCreate a schedule. With the uncertainty of the outside world, being able to take control of something will feel good.โ€ โ€“ Stevie Brown

โ€œRegardless of your quarantine situation, stick to a schedule! If you used to workout at noon, continue to do so now. This is not a break from your bills, kids, responsibilities and certainly not from your goals. As depressed as you may be right now, imagine how youโ€™d feel after this is all over and youโ€™re back to where you first started.โ€ โ€“ Ian Buchanan

โ€œThis is a great time to revisit the goals youโ€™ve made and see how far youโ€™ve come. There may be new space in your schedule to create another small fitness goal. Post your new goal on social media and motivate others.โ€ โ€“ Lillian Abdalla

โ€œUse this time wisely. Meditate, calm your mind, body and spirit. Read, grow, practice self-love and gratitude.โ€ โ€“ Jermaine Patterson

Eat for fuel, not boredom

โ€œKeep low-calorie snacks on hand and stick to your normal eating schedule. Set an alarm for times to eat and drink water.โ€ โ€“ Joy Diggs

โ€œStay motivated by creating new, healthy recipes and eat immune boosting foods. Avoid emotional eating.โ€ Visit Crystal on Instagram for recipes, nutrition tips, and more. โ€“ Crystal Hadnott

โ€œRemember to eat to fuel your body and not kill the boredom. Iโ€™m sharing one of my fav recipes โ€ฆ turkey muffins. They are not only healthy, but easy to make and delicious!โ€ โ€“ Chichi Nwaorie