MARTIN MURRAY

HEALTH AND FITNESS //

MARTIN MURRAY

IN THIS, ISSUE I’M LOOKING AT HOW HEALTH AND FITNESS CAN HELP YOU COPE UNDER CURRENT

RULES.

As Lockdown continues and the months roll by it is difficult to stay positive and motivated but I think the best way to stay positive is to challenge oneself. For me this meant quitting bad habits, joining boot camps under Allen @_ATFIT and @PeteDavison1989 and as an extra incentive to improve my fitness, I booked a trip to WeHo for February when I hope things are back to normal. I also started running every other day and posting pictures of beautiful things I see on my run on my Instagram @AwayWithTheFairiesAWTF. Everyone needs to find their own goals and challenges so I reached out to a few LGBTQ friends to see how they were staying motivated during lockdown and immediately fell in love with them all a little more as they continue to inspire me. You can follow their journeys on their Instagram pages. a 27 year old, Freelance Artist and Costume Prop Maker in the Film and TV industry spending her lockdown stress eating full punnets of blueberries. Since lockdown, Zipporah has been unable to continue her love of kayaking, jet skiing and walks along the coast. As the ocean was such a major part of her life, Zipporah now focuses on how she can help the fight against Covid-19 by making, delivering and donating PPE face shields to front liners all over Northern Ireland. As production companies where forced to halt their work, Zipporah has had the chance to lock herself in her studio to brainstorm, 3D print, laser, throw paint around and develop some new concepts for her street art work. These will be coming to a street near you

soon. @jamie.hegarty works in Film & Television. The 24-year-old Assistant Director & Extras Coordinator enjoys the variety of flavours you can find with vegan friendly Naked Bars as a go to snack. Jamie is missing getting his skates on the ice rink, a sport he took up at the beginning of the year to combat the repetitiveness of workingout. Lockdown has forced Jamie to be innovative with his exercise by rotating Yoga, Home Circuits Class and 10k walks on alternate days to pass the time and keep active. The yoga has really helped Jamie both physically and mentally so he hopes to incorporate this into his work schedule when filming resumes and plans to get involved in yoga classes in Belfast. Carla Barrow is a Costume Designer for Film, TV and Theatre. While not feasting on her favourite snack of Mozzarella, tomato, basil, balsamic and olive oil, Carla has remained active going on country walks with her fiancé or running and playing with their new puppy @TedTheMiniCockapoo. Carla is keeping busy maintaining her beautiful cottage with DIY and Gardening projects. Carla does not currently have Instagram but you can follow her journey on her fiancé Rhiann’s Instagram, which we mention later.

Lorcan, also known as @ mr_gay_ireland_2020, is a psychiatric nurse intern who currently enjoys treating himself to fresh fruit with vanilla protein yogurt. Since the gyms closed, Loran keeps in shape by running and taking the dogs for a walk depending on whether he works days or nights. Lorcan has also enlisted the support of a personal trainer to support his home workouts but cannot wait to get back in a gym. Lorcan hopes that this down time will allow him to improve dietary habits and physical health that he can continue after lockdown. He is also working hard developing campaigns to benefit the LGBTQI+ community, and preparing to represent Ireland at the postponed Mr Gay World and Mr Gay Europe competitions next year but in the meantime will enjoy Digital Pride and the digital entertainment provided by so many talented artists now.

@IAmVickyAllen is an Actor and Performance Artist who like many of us mostly kept fit through dancing in the club and her work. Vicky is using Coffee to stay energetic. As a performer, Vicky finds joy by entertaining so has been keeping busy through online comedy videos, delivering groceries to her grandmother and regular Yoga. Vicky has found the key is adapting so instead of dancing in the club Vicky now dances in her own home and along with other artists has started working on digital projects like the Tinderbox Solo Art Project, which you can find on Tinderbox Facebook page.

Lewis of @LRCFashionStylist is a Fashion Stylist & Fashion Writer currently based in London. His go to treat during lockdown is Itsu Yoghurt Rice Cakes. Since lockdown has stopped Lewis enjoying swimming for fitness, Lewis has started daily weight lifting and yoga to start his day of right. He has used this time as an opportunity to cut out sweet treats and stick to a meal plan

he created for himself which is important, as everyone’s requirements are individual.

@rhiannjeffrey is a 27-year-old theatre director with a love of celery sticks and peanut butter. Since lockdown has removed Rhianns access to pools and beaches, she has missed swimming and enjoying the water but continues to keep her fitness up walking her adorable new dog @ TedTheMiniCockapoo with her fiancé Carla and dancing in the garden to their favourite records. Rhiann has thrown herself in to work in while she remains on lockdown in Antrim town and is currently creating projects for Jerwood Arts, Arts Council NI and The Mac.

@ryan0nei11 is a Professional dancer but like most of us his biggest health challenge in lockdown is healthy eating. Ryan is working on enjoying healthy snacking using yoghurt mixed with different fruits, nuts and seeds to vary flavour. At 33, he is missing the social aspect of being in a class full of people with similar interests and ambitions and after morning company classes being such a huge part of his life he is having to adapt to online classes which Ryan enjoys but admits it doesn’t compare to having someone there to correct and encourage you. As a dancer, he works out 6 days a week with 30-40 minutes of yoga, Pilates, strength, conditioning or cardio followed by an hours walk. This is quite limited compared to usual but he understands how important it is to keep on moving so he can jump back in to training after lockdown. Ryan has used his time to reflect on how for many years he has been filling his time with work to the point he drained, both physically and mentally. @jordan.mccormick is a professional Irish Dancer; Riverdance cast member and Student Teacher who has been treating himself to healthy doses of Hummus to get through lockdown. His largest frustration is not being able to get into the gym or the studio to dance, as his downstairs neighbours never dreamt of living under a dance studio. Jordan uses working out as his personal escape from lockdown to keep a healthy mind and body. He remains sane by taking part in Insanity Cardio by Shaun T and a running 3 to 4 times a week. During his down time, Jordan has taken up German and is completing his degree in primary school teaching. performer and currently Female Principal Lead Dancer with Riverdance and Heartbeat of Home. Due to Covid19, Gianna returned to her Australian home when the tour postponed while at Radio City Music Hall. As lockdown has eased in Australia, she now keeps herself motivated through running, followed by some sliced Carrots with organic smooth Peanut butter. Like the other cast members, Gianna is missing performing and the motivation of her fellow cast, crew members and the audiences. She does keep up dancing in the garden along with strength and conditioning workouts to remain ready for returning to the tour. Gianna is keeping her mind active by training herself to enjoy reading more and studying for her certificate in personal training. For Gianna it has been important to focus on the present and hope that the future will bring nothing but good vibes, peace, equality and pure joy to everyone. @jack2998 is a professional Dancer and Riverdance cast member with a love for Daniel Davey’s homemade protein bars. Admitting that he is

@gianna93 is a professional

missing the gym, big time, Jack has begun a series of home workouts, cycling and has been keeping up the dancing to stay in shape. As an extra challenge to himself, Jack has taken to social media; teaching dancing via zoom to a school. This allows Jack to continue focusing his mind and body on his passion for dance.

@aidanorange is a Photographer and Drag Queen who uses bananas as his go to health snack. While on lockdown in London Aidan has really missed swimming. During this time, he has joined the rest of the world in some online classes, not only to keep active but mentally too. Aidan considers himself lucky, as he now has to be present online in drag much more than he usually would have. Online work provides the opportunity for Aidan to continue to grow his online presence and interact with other artists he would not usually meet. After lockdown, he will be competing for The Crown in SoHo, Freedom Bar, for their Season 2 Drag Queen competition!

LIFE!