We wish everyone health and well-being during this challenging time. One of the obvious consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is that we are all spending more time at home.
The probable result of the greater time spent at home is increased weight gain. This can be viewed in multiple ways. First, it is a blessing. Plagues and pandemics of the past have led to famine, including the Antonine Plagues, the Plague of Justinian, the Black Death, and the Third Pandemic of Plague, which stretched across the 19th and 20th centuries. It is only through the benevolence and blessing of God that as of yet food supply and production have not been severely disrupted.
The flip side is that people are spending more time, perhaps even focusing on meals, as well as using the fridge as a social crutch. That results in one of many things. The most obvious is that those size 38 pants tend to get tighter day by day, rugelach after rugelach.
An outstanding advancement in the battle of the bulge has been the utilization of Zoom for various exercise classes. A huge shout out to Russell Moskowitz, owner of Jump Into Shape (www.jumpintoshape.fun/classes), who utilizes jump ropes as a means of exercise. He offers seven weekly men’s Zoom classes of different skill levels for men. A women’s beginner class is starting in a few weeks. Having personally attended these classes, I can attest to the power and energy of healthful jumping. A jump rope is something readily available and even the fancy ones are not budget breakers. A 10-20 minute workout can burn a great number of calories (Jump Into Shape’s 45-minute classes burn about 500 calories). Russell primarily uses ropes in his own fitness routine, is in incredible shape and looks fantastic!
Another huge win is the Peleton! Peloton is a company formed in 2012 by top Silicon Valley technologists and bike enthusiasts. Its mission is to bring immersive and challenging workouts into people’s lives in a more accessible, affordable and efficient way. This led to the creation of an interactive platform for cycling that also includes some weight training, stretching and yoga. People have the option of live or recorded classes or scenic rides through beautiful places located around the world. I was in more places and on more trips than ever before, including Taiwan, the French Riviera, the Italian and Austrian Alps, New Hampshire and several national parks, all on 20-30 minute rides without needing to bring luggage or kosher food!
At The Center for Musculosketal Disorders, the group’s doctors have challenged each other to see who will be the biggest gainer or loser. So far we are all holding up—some better than others! The next time we see you in the office you can cast your vote!
We are available for all your orthopedic, pain, hand and podiatric needs via in-person and telemedicine portals. Please let us know if we can help. Call the office at (201) 510-3777 or contact Elianna Kranz, community liaison, at [email protected]. We are looking forward and praying to see you in good health and good spirits.
Dr. Jonathan Lewin is a board certified orthopedic spinal surgeon at The Center for Spinal Disorders, providing services for back pain and spinal disorders. Dr. Lewin is one of the few doctors in the states of New York and New Jersey who is experienced in performing dndoscopic fusion surgery. He can be reached at The Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders, 177 N. Dean St., Suite 301, Englewood, NJ 07631, (201) 510-3777, www.NJSpinalDisorders.com� or [email protected].
