In, out, in, out… Victorians are back in lockdown and if we all don’t prioritise our own health and wellbeing during this time, we all will be too.

If the constant disruptions of COVID-19 lockdowns has put you under all types of pressure, caused weight gain, made you lose your mojo, or even impacted your emotional wellbeing – it’s important to know you are not alone.

As isolation and restrictions come and go…and in some cases, come back again, Olympian and co-founder of Happy Healthy You, Lisa Curry wants to encourage people who are experiencing emotional unrest, weight gain, and loss of motivation as a result of the lockdown, to know that with a few simple changes to your everyday routine, you can start to resolve some of these problems.

“Being isolated brings a host of challenges. It’s easy to snack and stay indoors, and hard to be motivated to exercise or even get out of the house,” said Lisa.

“Now that some people are coming out of COVID-19, it’s important to start reintegrating your ‘old’ habits or introducing new habits into your lifestyle and diet. By prioritising your health and wellbeing will not only help you physically, but mentally as well.”

Lisa shares three simple tips to keep your health and wellbeing on track while you are in lockdown or as we slowly transition to a new way of living.

1. Include exercise in your daily routine:

“Low impact cardio such as going for a brisk walk or a hike can be a simple way to ease back into exercise while still enjoying the great outdoors and catching up with friends… remember to keep social distancing!”

“I always recommend starting slow and building up, this reduces strain on your body, and you can do as much or as little as you like – as long as you do something daily,” said Lisa.

For those in lockdown, walking around the inside or outside of the house, stopping at each corner and adding some functional exercises like squats, lunges, push ups and planks can make a simple yet effective workout.

2. Consider how you feel depends on what you eat

“Creating a menu or meal plan of healthy recipes and snacks is an easy way to help you get back or stay on track,” said Lisa.

“It’s all about habit…grabbing a banana, mandarin, or vegetable sticks and homemade hummus instead of a handful of sugar-laden biscuits becomes easy if there’s a bowl of fresh fruit and chopped vegetables in easy reach.”

Lisa only plans a couple of days in advance, so everything stays fresh. Her motto is ‘buy small, eat it all’.

If you’re in lockdown and unable to get out as much as you used to, frozen vegetables are great to have on hand to add to soups, curries, stir-fries or even to scrambled eggs. In lockdown, it can also be a great time for the family to start cooking together and trying new meals.

“We have delicious nutrient-dense recipes on our website, many of which can be made in bulk and frozen.”

“Vitamins and supplements can also be a great addition to your diet to help with your overall immunity, wellbeing and health,” said Lisa. “For an extra boost, consider adding supplements like our Happy Turmeric or Happy Greens to your recipes which can help boost to your immune system and give you additional nutrients.”

3. Make a plan

“When you’ve become accustomed to a certain way of living, it can be difficult to adjust. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, lay out your goals in a plan and set realistic milestones so you can achieve them,” she said.

“Every change, every new goal, takes time. Some people expect instant results, but the reality is change takes time, usually 6-8 weeks, so knowing this can help with patience and goal setting.”

“During lockdown, why not participate in an online course, learn a new skill or take up an old passion you haven’t done for years? Staying mentally, emotionally and physically well, and living in a way where you feel content and peaceful can help you get through this unprecedented year. COVID-19 has put everyone and everything up in the air, but as I always say… it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you deal with it.”

Lisa’s mum always says: ‘It is what it is’… so we just have to make do; change the things we can and accept the things we can’t.

No matter your circumstances or how you are feeling, to help you adjust to change during COVID-19, Lisa invites women to join the Happy Healthy You online communities.

“At Happy Healthy You, we have a number of different online groups to support you – with our team of experts on hand to answer all your health questions and concerns. Our online community is a safe space where you can learn to take back control of your own health. It is a place to learn, grow, and be supported and encouraged on your unique health journey,” said Lisa.

If you want to use Lisa’s ‘Happy RESET Program’ as your own guide, you can download the at-home program for $59.95, and join the other Australians who are helping to improve their health and wellbeing today.

What are your top tips to stay healthy in lockdown? Tell us in the comments below.