Today was the end of isolation for me after having COVID-19. Like a bear who has hibernated through winter, I peeked my head outside my front gate and didn't look back! What a great feeling. I went to my local coffee shop Mistress on Moore for croissants and coffees, my local fruit and veggie shop and then as I went into Coles, I felt exhausted. It hit me like a tonne of bricks! Is this post-COVID fatigue? Or perhaps I'm not used to wearing a mask? I couldn't even face the grocery shop. I left and turned around empty handed to go home. My adventure back into society was short-lived.
I'm not sure why I thought I'd magically bounce back.
I'm not a medical professional* so I have no intention or expertise to say what is normal and what isn't post-COVID. All I can talk about is my own experience (which is literally one day!) and what I've heard my clients in the studio say in recent months after having COVID.
In my view, I am one of the lucky ones. All I experienced was a cracking headache and tiredness. But as a Mum of a 3 and 4 year old, parenting and exhaustion kind of go hand-in-hand. So a headache that was no worse than a hangover is pretty manageable.
When I checked in with my body this week, it felt average. I am stiff from a week of sitting around - and yes, probably too many shark movies! I feel tight in the hips, a bit of lower back discomfort (that I haven't had in YEARS!) and a general stiffness in the upper back/around my neck.
I asked clients who have had COVID how their body feels after experiencing this illness. Fatigue is often the first symptom they say as well as tight shoulders (perhaps from coughing). No one seems to be feeling that great overall.
So what's my plan for a post-COVID client? Including myself?
Let's take it slow and get you moving gently.
In every Pilates session, I try to move your spine in all planes of movement. Forwards and backwards, side-to-side and some rotation. I like to work the ankle joint, the calves, the hamstrings and quads, a bit of glute burn, abs, shoulders and upper back. And of course some arms and throw in some balance for fun. There are easier exercises and more challenging full-body exercises. But for a post COVID client, I focus more on stretching and mobility. We can leave the jumpboard and cardio-type session for a few weeks. Let's get your joints moving and see if you can leave your session feeling taller and a bit stronger.
This is advice I need to take myself as I get back into exercise. As much as I'm desperate to escape my family and explore Banks Street Reserve on my own, I know that a big walk like that could set me back.
So here's to day 1, I'm going to stretch my hamstrings today and maybe some feet in straps on the reformer for my sticky hips. Because let's be honest, we all do Pilates for that exercise. And then I'm going to enjoy a glass of Pinot Noir with Anthony because it's raining and I always have Pinot when it rains.
Let me know if you have any other tips for exercise post-COVID. I'd love to hear from you.
hello@wellspringpilates.com.au
See you in the studio soon, Wellspringers.
Miss you all,
Holly
*usual disclaimer - if you have any concerns about your post-COVID symptoms, go and see your medical professional.
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