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HEALTHY MENTALLY & PHYSICALLY Registering The New Voter: Why It Is More Than Registering Voters Creep of the Week Tony Perkins
Photography by Erika Krunpansky
Cover: Joshua Neal H o w t o S tay HEALTHY MENTALLY & PHYSICALLY
Contents
FENUXE
6 REGISTERING THE NEW VOTER: WHY IT IS MORE THAN REGISTERING VOTERS
Creep of the week Tony Perkins 1S0
16
X-MTV
20
Photos :Joshua Neal
24 How to Stay HEALTHY MENTALLY & PHYSICALLY
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5
Registering The New Voter: Why It Is More Than Registering Voters by Dave Mulryan of Mulryan/Nash
The 2020 elections saw a massive surge of voting, drawing the largest number of voters since the election of 1900. This huge increase in voting showed, with some unexpected results, that the care and feeding of the world oldest and most important democracy really does rest on just one thing: voting. This map shows what happens to voting when we look only at the young vote: Arizona, which birthed Barry Goldwater, and has long been a conservative bastion, turns blue. Texas turns blue. That this can be attributed to the young vote is hardly a surprise. The 2018 mid-term elections saw an uptick in voting, as many people, especially the young, voted at higher rates. Although this uptick was welcome, we still have a crisis of voting, in that not enough of us do it.
Why? The Founders, the white men who wrote the constitution, who muscled the adoption of it through the warring factions that made up the original 13 colonies, made compromises to get the 2/3rds of the colonies votes needed to allow its adoption. They allowed the adoption of the compromise that there would be NO federal oversight of voting, that the states would be in charge of all elections, even federal ones. The small colonies were concerned that they would be overwhelmed by the large states, so they insisted on equal numbers of Senators, 2 per state, and used the House Of Representatives as a way for proportional representation. They also restricted voting to white men with property, and for the state legislators to choose their Senators — direct election of 6: fenxue.com
Senators would not take place until 1913. Voting was for elites, and echoes of that resonate today. There has been progress — women got the vote in 1919, minorities got the vote when President Lyndon Johnson pushed through the Voting Rights Act, and the Civil Rights Act. He failed to get the voting age lowered to 18, although he tried. Two states, Oregon and Texas, used the federal courts to delay the implementation of 18 year old voting, and the voting age was only lowered after President Nixon brokered a deal, and the constitution was amended to allow for 18 year olds to vote. So, there has been progress, yet voting remains anemic. Most federal elections are decided with 50% of the eligible voters voting; some elections, like Mayor’s races and school board elections can be decided with as little a 6% of the eligible voters turning out. The 2020 elections, with a presidential race, saw voter turnout in New Mexico of a little over 52%. This is still awful. We are now facing a huge bulge of new voters, the millennials, and their numbers are astounding. This chart shows birth rates, and this bulge of population can determine every election, if they choose to vote and choose to register to vote and to vote. The 64,000 dollar question: Will they? We, Everybody Votes, and The New Mexico Voter Group, have established organizations to focus on registering voters. We have focused on the nuts and bolts of registering voters: setting
handled by the county clerks, requires an understanding of the registration form, and requires a formal issuance of a voter registration number. The state issues a VRA certificate, and assigns a number, which allows for the tracking of the activities of the Voter Registration Agent. 2.
We have, in New Mexico, a huge number of people who have taken the class required to register their fellow citizens to vote. Yet, we have few who actually do it. It appears that many people are willing to register others to vote, but then after taking the class, they fail to do so. We hypothesize that many of the VRA’s feel ill-equipped to register voters, even after the class, so they don’t.
We have a huge task ahead of us. We have proven, as evidenced by the turnout in the 2020 elections, that voting is the key. The election saw the best turnout in 120 years. We need to continue, and to train and make sure that the people doing voter registration are prepared. They need to know when the next election is. They need to be able to explain the role of the voter in the democratic process. They need to be able to rebut conventional wisdom, in that “My vote doesn’t count,” and explain how that vote DOES count.
tables, getting forms, getting the young voter to register, getting the forms to the County Clerk. Yet, we despair that we are not doing enough. Many eligible voters, especially the young ones, breeze by us, muttering something vague about “no voting.” We have registered a huge chunk of voters, with few resources, and so we know that it can be done. Yet, we are NOT efficient, we need to scale, we need to have voter registration brought to the fore all over the country. Clearly we could use resources, money, but we also believe that we need a revolution in the person that registers the vote, the Voter Registration Agent. How do we do this?
up
None of this will simply happen. We need a complete curriculum that teaches people to register voters. We need to teach the person that is registering what they need to know: facts, how the process works, what is coming up in the very near term that the new voter will vote on. Stacy Abrams, who led a group that registered 800,000 voters in Georgia, shows what can be done with leadership and political will: she, and her group, will help decide the balance of power in Washington. If the two Senate seats that are in a runoff can both go Democratic, then the Democrats will hold a razor thin margin in the Senate, giving the Biden Administration the ability to govern.
We need resources, we need direction, we need to scale. We can and have identified the problem, and we need to quickly In short, we need to move voter registration from a passive implement the solution. We can do it, if we want to. Do we, as endeavor to an active one. Oregon, with its automatic voter citizens of the worlds oldest and most important democracy, registration, is showing how this can work. Vote by mail have the will to do this? I hope we do. I believe we can. elections seem to increase participation. Yet, the adoption Dave Mulryan is of these nationwide seems to be a ways off, and we need to the Co-Founder of register these voters now. Everybody Vote, a group that registers high school Seniors to vote. He is President “We have listened closely to the voters that we do register, of Mulryan/Nash and the ones that don’t want to register. Although we are Advertising, Inc. reluctant to draw broad conclusions, because there was no designed research study, it was simply observational, there was enough data for us to draw some conclusions:” The person who registers someone to vote is the very first contact that people have with the mechanics of democracy. The Voter Registration Agent needs to be prepared to both register the voter, and to give the person registering a reason WHY to register, and why they need to vote. That is asking a lot, but it seems to be the requirement to have a successful encounter. 1.
Few states require any training for people that want to register other voters. New Mexico, which requires a training class, is one of the strongest. Their training,
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Creep of the WEEK
by D’Anne Witkowski
Tony Perkins
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Bu t it ta ke s a as if th ey an re wi th / rm un de rs ta nd we b re ou la t bo /a re sy m pa theet ic of ra to ry ra ts fo r th a ho le th ei r so ci as de ep as th e to ei al r liv po on es lic e do es n’ t di m in is h y.” th e Tr um p Ad m in is tra tio n du th ei r hu m an ity . Se co g. nd ly , it is n’ t kn ow n O K. A lo t un pa ck he re . ex ac tly ho w m an y tra ns ge An d ye t, ev en wi th Ab or tio n is to nd er pe op le Tr th um he er al e p’ th s ar re fu sa l th us ta xp e in th is co un try ca re an d bu t to co nc ed e th e , ay th er is el ec m is tio n, ev wi th th e te rro us ed to pa y fo r on ey sh ou ld be m in or ity of de fin ite ly a sm al l t at ta ck in D.en ab pe or op tio le ns ca rri ed ou t by ris wh C. um p su pp or te rs , sa m e wa y it’ s us ed to pain th e le ss po we r an d po lito ha ve fa r ev en wi th 50 0,Tr y fo ic al he ar t su rg er y. 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LG BT Q +. ha ve , wh en inom in ab le Ac co rd in g to Ri gh re al ity , He is n’ t ab or tio n is so t m W in g W at ch wr on g, as an yo ne et hi ng th at op le on M ar ch 17 , liv ed th ro ug h th o rk in s sa t do wn, fro m ev er y po ss ib le wa lk pe is pa st ye ar wowh fo r a lit tle ch atPewi of ha lif e ve . at ul Al d te th st ou ! Bu th gh t Pa we Pe st ’re rk or in s th in ks fo r in th is si tu at io n Ja ck th at he ha Hi bb s, a so he s a rig ht to ha e ex ac t op po rn Ca lif or ni a sa m eg ac hu rc h leut ve fin al Pe rkth si te re as on y in re pr ad in od er s uc , ho w aw fu l th in gs to ta lk ab ou t ab so lu te ly fu tiv e de ci si on s, he to wa rd th in ks we ar e. 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An d fro m th e pi t of da at is ha pp en in g, bu t in re al ity we ar e. he re he ll.” is a so ci et al sh ift th at ha s m or e It m ak es m e op le ur at iv el y in sa ne sa yi ng , “H ey , m ay be th is pe wi th pe op le fig wh ol e se pa ra tio m n is of us e th e wo rd th ch ch an d st at “li te ra lly ,” bu t I di e in g is , lik e, go odur gr es s. ?” W ha t is so Th is , co ur se , th at en s Pr es id en t Bi de n’ sho rri bl e ab ou t Ch ris tia nof do m in an ce , re po lic y ag en da ? do W el l, it in vo lve s bu t it es n’ t th an yo ne ’s m ak e th ei r ow le tti ng wo m en fre ed om to re at en he al th ca re de ci sin re pr od uc tiv e no t an at ta be a Ch ris tia n. It is ck on s an d le tti ng re lig io n to tra ns ge nd er m so m eo ne “H eyon , yo u ca n’ t treteatll se rv e th ei r co unili ta ry m em be rs LG BT Q + ,pe try in st ru m en ta l in ge . Pe rk in s wa s an d cl ai m yoop le as su bh um an D’Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and u’ re ju st do in g Go tti ng Tr um p to ba n tra ns tro op comedian living in Michigan with her wife wo rk .” d’ s s, af te r al l. and son. She has been writing about LGBT Pe rk in s lis ts hi Pe politics for over a decade. Follow her on rk in s, lik “F or ci ng yo u as a s gr ie va nc es : re lig io us rig e so m uc h of th e Twitter @MamaDWitkowski ht , is re al ly hu ng up ta xp ay er to be tra ns ge nd er pe op on le . I sw ea r, if yo u
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Niecy Nash makes ‘The Perfect Find’ by Romeo San Vicente
Deep Inside Hollywood Niecy back Nash,tostar offlash “Claws,” “Reno 911” and “Mrs. America,” has Think that of a moment in 2017’s live-action remake signed on to aBeauty new romcom forBeast, Netflix. called “Theit Perfect Find,” of Disney’s and the Beast , theIt’sone where seemed that it’s based (Luke on the Evans) 2016 novel by Tia Williams, stars in Gabrielle Gaston’s sidekick LeFou (Josh and Gad)it was, effect, Union (also producing) as a beauty journalist who falls for a co-worker coming out as gay. We call it a flash because if you blinked you – played by Keith Powers (“Straight Outta Compton”) – who also missed it – that is, if you don’t count the constant thread of LeFou happens to be the boss’s son. That boss? Nash. Now, from watching having a wild on Gaston but that’s complaint for the perfect andcrush hilarious Nash on– “Claws” as another well as the perfect and another day. It’s canon now: LeFou is gay (but keep up, Gad is hilarious Union in 2003’s underrated “Deliver Us from Eva,” we know heterosexual andflying Evansasisthese the gay just for do thebattle, record). there’ll be sparks two actor, powerhouses andNow this that you have that background you can knowwhen that it’ll Disney+ is is already in ourallimaginary Netflix queue. Not sure drop on developing a service, six-part but prequel the two characters and the streaming if youseries need aabout little Niecy before then, she’ll how they camethe to32nd be such a villainous team. Awards, It’ll alsostreaming be musical, also be hosting annual GLAAD Media on with songs veteran composer Alan Menken. And both Hulu andfrom YouTube AprilBeauty 8.
in Los Angeles in her 20s, she became known on the nightclub Joel Kim Booster’s Tripearly to Quibi
difficult reputations of actors Alec Baldwin and Kelsey Grammer, it seems like a greatClub timecomes to casttothem as roommates with combative The Baby-Sitters Netflix egos. And that’s what’s coming this fall when “Modern Family” writer/producers Chris Lloyd and Vali Chandrasekaran’s new untitled Kids’’ literature is no stranger to independent-minded tomboy Kids sitcom arrives. Untitled for now, the veteran actors, alongside queer characters by talented thoughtful such comic Alec created Mapa, will play threeand friends who’velesbian known authors, each other for as Harriet The Spy by Louise Fitzhugh and The Baby-Sitters decades, and whose past as bickering roommates collides with Club their by Ann –M. Butroommates. unlike Harriet, whose adventures spanned present asMartin. bickering No other details are known at this just Baby-Sitters Club became series point,two butnovels, reports The are that Mapa’s character will be an theenduring empathy-driven throughout the ’80s and ’90s, with a feature versiondelightful in 1995. gay peacemaker. Of course, we’ve seen enough film of Mapa’s And now comes a series Netflix – same name, naturally comic work to know thatfrom at some point his peacekeeping will– that turn will the telling. girls upIntoother date words for a new generation. Thedomestically four mains into bring gay truth we want to see him dominate some straight men. That would be justice, we Shay think.Rudolph Keep an are all relative newcomers: Sophie Grace as Kristy, eyeStacey, out for whatever it is they finally decide to call this one. as Malia Baker as Mary-Anne, and Momona Tamada as
a trip we’re ready to take.
we’re just telling Disney now, because we’ll all be watching from Alecsocial-distancing Mapa, Alec Baldwin and Kelsey The Odd Throuple? the comfort of our Grammer: homes and paying very close attention that LeFou better stay very, very, very gay or there will be Based a riot. on what the public has come to know about the sometimes
circuit and appeared on stage with well-known entertainers like Redd Foxx, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr. and Richard Pryor. She also had to battle an L.A. city ordinance that banned cross-dressing, one that Actor and stand upher comic (The Other (The Two, which Two, threatened to make workJoel lifeKim nextBooster to impossible, by staging rallies he is taking his new project to Emmy-winning Quibi, the streaming andco-produces) protests, eventually winning the fight. Now queer platform for short-form series. It’s called Trip,Story: Trip , and The he’ll People write, director Anthony Hemingway (“American Crime v. O.J. Simpson”) taken on Sir Lady about Java’s biopic (working produce and star has in it, a mini-sitcom two gay friendstitle on is, appropriately, “Sir Lady and “Pose” star, Hailie Sahar will vacation in Fire Island. The Java”) twist here is that Trip Trip, while ostensibly move into title role. Wegay lovethings a queer about is queer subjects about gaysthe doing typical in project a gay place, inspired by created by queerPride people, we especially love ittothat get Jane Austen’s andand Prejudice (can’t wait seeSahar who will the Mr. a shot at a new now that Booster’s “Pose” is headed foraitsseries third Darcy turns outrole to (especially be). This will mark debut as and final and season) — looking one that was designed for a trans creator, we’re forward to seeing how actress much to of step his into. It seems like the days of trans performers not being considered stand-up material – which sometimes involves discussions of his for trans roles are on the way out, and it’s about time. The project is religious upbringing and always includes details of his life as a gay, in pre-production right now, with a start date expected sometime this Asian man – will make it into the final product. No matter what, it’s year. We can’t wait! Romeo San Vicente waits patiently to be crowned Miss Vaccine 2021.
Claudia, with Alicia Silverstone and Mark Feuerstein providing Annette Bening dives into Diana Nyaddate biopic grown-up support. There’s no drop yet, but that’s Netflix for you. And while you’re waiting, there are quite literally a couple Four-timebooks Academy Award nominee Annette Bening (that’s right, hundred in this series, waiting to satisfy your childhood she’s never won, because the world is chaotic and broken) invariably nostalgia urge.
makes cool career choices, lending her recent projects an air of thoughtfulness that signals more than the usual Needed A Job vibe. So
American Gigolo calling for has Showtime it’s wonderful news that she signed on to star in a biopic based on
lesbian long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad’s autobiography, “Find a
Feeling a sense ofNyad? deja-vu? Well, because Gigolofrom Gigolo, , the Way.” Don’t know She’s the it’s woman who,American at age 64, swam stylish male escortany drama starring Richard andofLauren Cuba to1980 Florida without protective barrier in aGere stretch water Hutton, keeps promising to become a TV series and then just… not. known for sharks and deadly jellyfish. She’s basically AquaWoman In day, the all filmrespect was obsessed over for fashionable swimming details, as anditsdeserves for a lifetime ofitslong-distance well as for its strange of Ann queer panic and queerDonovan”) pleasure, accomplishments. Thestraddling script, from Biderman (“Ray andwhile Julia Cox, will adapt book, and the film directed by all objectifying itsNyad’s occasionally nude star.will Butbenow comes Oscar winners Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy nailanother chance of resurrection at Showtime, whereChin Jon (the Bernthal climbing documentary “Free who Solo”), (biting Ford vmountain Ferrari) will Ferrari) star as the sex worker wasmaking framedtheir for narrativeDavid feature debut. And if Donovan) you’ve seen “Free Solo,” you know murder. Hollander (Ray (Ray Donovan ) is penning the script that these filmmakers have affinityday for (and people their18bodies the updates the story to an present yetputting set only yearson after line original for the historical it all, and theyour talent to create unbearable the story, so glory good of luck keeping mind wrapped around cinematic tension in wiser the process. a match to made extreme sports that), as the older, GigoloIt’s struggles findinhis way in the heaven. modern sex industry of Los Angeles, all while trying to sort out the truth who framed so many years ago. We’re not holding ‘Pose’about star Hailie Sahar tohim portray Sir Lady Java our breath for this one because we were promised it before, but now that Java Showtime’s delightfully trashyan reality Gigolos no Sir Lady is a queer history legend: exoticseries dancer, singerisand more, a vacant in our hearts for a hero. comic there’s in the 1960s whospace also became a transwaiting rights activist. Arriving
Romeo San Vicente is a full round trip all by himself.
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Easter on the Square @ Midtown Moon photos by Russ Bowen-Youngblood
OUT & ABOUT
PHOTOS
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Pop Artists are baring more than souls in pandemic-era music videos. They’re baring their bodies too. BY CONNOR DAVENPORT
The CDC reports three key impacts on gay men that have resulted from the COVID pandemic: increased rates of depression, substance abuse and, you guessed it, horniness. “We’re gay, being frisky is in our DNA,” declares out artist Jack Tracy. His new single, “The Feels,” drips with passion. It details a relationship that is being held together by the one thing that still works in it: the incredible sex. The accompanying music video unabashedly depicts the song’s main theme. It includes a nude Jack Tracy in the most explicit sex scenes he has ever filmed. “There was no hesitation in dropping trough for the music video,” he reveals. “I’ve never shied away from using sexuality to make a broader point or tell a story.” As a matter of fact, Tracy’s currently planning the video for his next song and its nudity will go one step further. Everyone involved in the video will be showing skin! “We are going to be tackling the issue of toxic masculinity and portraying a lot of different body types, races and people all along the gender spectrum,” he explains. There is no denying that nudity is a trend in music videos today, especially among female artists. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s WAP video featured over the top sexuality and the two artists have owned every bit of it, taking a “if you don’t like it, you can kiss my ass” attitude against naysayers. Out artist Colton Ford can relate. He received online criticism for the explicit edit of his “Stay” video. “There are the haters out there and there will always be, but I feel that reflects on them and not on me. I know who I am. I love who I am. I know what I do best, and I’m doing what I feel and what I want and no one can take that away from me.” “I am an artist and an exhibitionist,” Ford continues. “I enjoy taking chances and pursuing my dreams. I think any artist that embraces his or her sexuality should be applauded, especially if they’re doing it organically and not simply as a tool to grab attention.” Colton Ford has fully embraced his sexuality since 2002, when he first gained stardom as an adult film model with Colt Studio. It’s how he’s been packaging himself ever since but he credits the pandemic for drawing more attention to it.
“The isolation we experienced amped up the online experience,” he reflects. “All of a sudden, guys couldn’t hook up and express themselves the way they were used to, so watching it online became the next best thing as it was a safer substitute.” It’s why he decided to launch his very own OnlyFans page with the release of “Stay”. “I didn’t anticipate moving in this direction, but it’s a new day and I view OnlyFans as a way to blend my erotic and music brands,” he explains. His being close to sixty isn’t stopping him. In fact, it gives his choice to bare all even more significance. “With my being 58, the page has taken on a different energy. Like we don’t have to subscribe anymore to the notion that once you turn 50 you have to stop enjoying your life and sexuality. Trust me when I say that after this long, isolating year, daddies like me are just as pent up with sexual energy as the rest of ya’ll!” Follow on Jack Tracy and Colton Ford on Instagram @ jacktracyofficial and @ therealcoltonford.
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Hi, I am Joshua Neal. I am a Fitness Professional that loves helping and inspiring others. Working out and dancing has always been a passion of mine since I was a kid. At the age of 19, I entered the world of fitness as a hi/lo and step instructor. From that moment on I knew my purpose was to help others be healthy physically. After receiving my Yoga Certification, Life Coach Certification and healing some deep-rooted wounds, I expanded
How to Stay
HEALTHY MENTALLY & PHYSICALLY
my purpose even more by inspiring others to stay healthy mentally and physically. With all the challenges and uncertainties that 2020 has brought us, it’s important that we stay healthy mentally and physically. Mental Health America studies show that the number of people seeking help has skyrocketed. Compared to last year 93 percent more people this year have screened for anxiety and 62 percent more for depression. There are many mental benefits to working out. • It reduces anxiety, stress, and depression. • Feelings of Joy and Happiness • Sense of Achievement • Improved judgment skills and clarity • Increased learning skills MASM and AHA recommend that you should get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 vigorous aerobic activity during the week. The US Department of Health and Human Services states that 80% of Adults do not meet those minimum requirements. There are many physical benefits to working out. • Stronger • Faster • Flexible • Weight loss/Weight gain achievements • Low risk of heart disease • Longer life span • Strengthen Bones and Muscles Here are some tips on how you can stay healthy mentally and physically. MINDSET Be positive. You must want it. Gear your mind for success. Acknowledge how you feel first about working out in the winter and then adjust your mindset if needed. Develop a good mindset and everything will build from it. “Root”
SET GOALS Goal setting involves the development of an action plan. It is a major component of personal development. Once you have a goal in mind it holds you accountable to meet it. Also share your goals with others for extra accountability. Think about what you want to do and achieve. For example, “I want to jog for one mile” or “I want to lose five pounds in 60 days”. Find that Goal..... See it, smell it, feel it, believe it and achieve it. ACCOUNTABILITY/ SUPPORT SYSTEM Grab some friends. Share with your spouse what your goals are. Get the kids involved. Surround yourself around positive influencer’s. The more you include others the more likely you can achieve your goals……AND working out is so much fun with others. MAKE DAILY ACTIVITY/ CHORES MORE ACTIVE Think of ways to make your normal routine more active. If distance is appropriate, Walk/ jog to the store instead of driving. Change the regular route- Take a longer route. Carry the grocery bags into the car. When cleaning home, add walking up and down the stairs part of the routine. When taking your pets outside to use the restroom, go for a little walk around the neighborhood. MEDITATION/YOGA/RELIGION Meditation allows you to be in the present moment. Yoga links the mind, body and soul. Religion keeps your soul in check. The “mindset” section earlier was more towards the pre-work of exercising. This meditation and mind work is the actual activity. Try Attending a church or your religion/ belief service. With all that is 2020 has given us it is important that we try to stay well mentally. Yoga, meditation and prayer can prevent spiraling down the dark path and prevent the “I can’t do this” attitude. Try to just sit for 10 minutes still and focus on
your breath. Grab some comfy clothes. Yoga has many physical benefits including increased flexibility and balance. Beyond physical, yoga offers mental benefits like relief from stress, anxiety and fear. Yoga is a great opportunity to turn inward and find gratitude. Attending a Church or any type of religion service will feed your spirit and soul. We need our minds body and soul leveled more than ever now. Churches are beginning to open their doors with social distance protocols. There are many apps and social media platforms you can use to help jump start your meditation, yoga and religion practice. TAKE IT OUTSIDE Working out in the spring can be so much fun. Especially outside. It releases your endorphins, enhances endurance and MENTAL edge. So, take it outside, get active and don’t let pollen slow you down. Activities outside include but not limited to: Run, walk, jog, meditate or practice yoga in the park. Locations outside can be an additional motivating factor. Consider an open parking lot, your back yard, areas with color, parks, track and fields or just a nice view of nature. Remember to dress appropriately and
to take proper medicines if allergies are an issue during the spring. WORK OUT AT HOME/VIRTUAL/SOCIAL PLATFORMS Whether you are stuck at home because of the current pandemic or just don’t have time to get out, there are still plenty of ways you can work out at home. Many fitness professionals are unable to return to the gym. They are offering workout programs on their social media platforms. Some even go live via zoom, Instagram or Facebook live. Certain health clubs are beginning to go virtual and or offer on demand classes. Life Time has recently partnered with Apple to offer a digital and virtual platform with a large variety of classes at an affordable rate. You are guaranteed to find a class just for you. I personally have a couple of classes on the Life Time ON- Demand page. Don’t you have workout equipment at home? There are still many options for you. Get creative! Use home furniture to help assist with your workouts. For example, you can use a chair for stabilization in a Barre class. You can use can jugs of water as weights. You can use towels as sliders.
Department stores carry a variety of workout equipment that you can purchase. No excuses, clear a room and start moving. JOIN A 30/60 DAY CHALLENGE There are many fitness challenges that you can participate in. Joining a challenge not only helps you reach your fitness goals, but they also hold you accountable. Fitness challenges are fun and will help you maintain your workout routine during the winter. You can find various apps and online challenges that are designed for all levels to get involved with. DIET Your diet plays an important role in your physical and mental health. Your body will experience changes in energy level and metabolism. A balanced diet supplies the nutrients your body needs to work effectively. Without balanced nutrition, your body is more prone to disease, infection, fatigue, and low performance. It is important that you continue to watch your eating habits and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Consult with a nutritionist or dietitian for a personalized meal plan. JOURNAL/TALK TO SOMEONE/ TURN INWARD/READ
Your mental health is more important than ever now. The year 2020 has brought us many uncertainties and has forced us to change the way we normally live. As mentioned earlier, mental health statistics across the board have increased. This is a great time to self-reflect and turn inward. Allow yourself to just feel. A great way to reduce stress and anxiety is to read a book and or Journal your thoughts. If writing is not your thing, then talk to someone about your feelings. Whether it’s a professional therapist or a friend, let it out. It ok not to be ok but it’s not ok to keep it in. Talking and journaling allows you to release negative energy and emotions. It brings calmness to the mind and body. Your mental health is important. Take care of you, SELF CARE. It’s not a selfish act, it’s simply taking care of you. Staying active in the winter is valuable to you Mental, Physical and Emotional health. I hope that these tips will help motivate you. Inside or outside, be creative and make it a goal to be active this winter. Find that accountability partner and connect with others. Cheers for 2021. Cheers to a healthier you mentally and physically. Joshua Neal