Chris

USA

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MORGANA WINGGARD

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MAHWAH, NEW JERSEY: I didn’t know much about COVID other than that it started in China and that it is a deadly disease mainly affecting elderly people. I didn’t think I would get it because I was in the best shape of my life. I exercised daily. I had six pack abs and I was ready for summer. I didn’t think it was possible for me to get it and behold I got it. 

I worked at a skilled nursing facility not too far away from New York City. Once COVID hit there, we were advised to maintain safe precautions. But, I quickly learned COVID does not discriminate. 

At first I thought it was a normal, routine fever. Then, it bounced up to 101 followed by drowsiness, a dry cough, and slight chest pain. Once I started feeling the headaches, I knew I needed to get tested right there and then. That was late March when the state was shutting down and testing wasn’t as quick as it is today so it took me a week to find out I was COVID positive.

I was embarrassed at first. I thought a fit person should not get sick. We have great immune systems. Unfortunately, we’re finding out this virus does not discriminate. Even pro athletes are getting it. It can happen to anyone. 

I’m very active. I love going to the gym and doing physical activities. I’m very highly motivated and high energy. But, when I had COVID I was drowsy all the time. I didn’t want to do anything -- just stay in bed with zero motivation. I had no appetite whatsoever. As a result, I lost a good 20 pounds which I’m still trying to get back. 

The hardest part for me was the mental aspect. This whole thing taught me that as strong as I was and as much I worked out, I was not mentally prepared for this. The day I found out, I was in complete shock and isolated myself from the world in my room where I was alone with my thoughts.

“What’s going to happen next?”

“Is it going to get worse?” 

“Am I going to get better?”

“I didn’t have a complete life. I didn’t live life how I really wanted to live it. There’s so much more I want to do in this life that I haven’t done, that needs to be done.”  

People talk about the physical effects of COVID-19, but no one really talks about the mental health impact. Mental health is something that affects one in four people. It comes in many different forms like depression and anxiety, but it’s very hard to tell in most people because it cannot be seen. It’s soul wrenching and it loses friendships. People with depression are viewed as really weak. But, I feel like people with depression are really strong because they endure the pain and persevere. So, I feel like they’re the bravest people in the world. 

 

This is a big roadblock in my life. During the quarantine, I discovered I needed to work on it and slowly but surely find ways to develop that. I’m working on my mental state: reading books, listening to more podcasts, motivational stuff on Youtube and communicating to people how I truly feel and not keeping it bottled in. 

I’ve come out about my mental health struggles and used that as motivation for others who struggle with it. I had a lot of great engagement on both Instagram and Facebook. People applauded me for being vulnerable and coming out. Not many people do. People said things like, “I’m here for you.” “You’re not alone in this.”  I’ve had a lot of great support and I’m truly blessed that I had people to talk to. I’m not 100% healed, but I believe with my support system and resources, I will get there.

 

𝕀𝕟𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕗; 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕣𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕗. ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕥𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕖 𝕤𝕠 𝕠𝕗𝕥𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕪 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕟𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕘𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕫𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦. ℝ𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕧𝕚𝕘𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕗 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕒𝕔𝕔𝕖𝕡𝕥 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕤; 𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕪 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕞𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕚𝕟𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕕, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕕 In order to accomplish this, it is important to try these 3 tools: 1️⃣ COMMIT Sit down and take a look at your schedule. What time of day is most realistic for you to regularly work out? Once you decide what you're going to do, stick to it! To be effective, your exercise routine should be no more negotiable than going to work in the morning. 2️⃣MAKE A PLAN Know what exercises you're going to do, where you're going to do them, and in what order 3️⃣ TRACK YOUR PROGRESS One way to avoid potential roadblocks is by keeping a workout journal. Record the exercises, sets, reps, and the amount of weight used during each training session 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝔸𝕊𝕋𝔼ℝ 𝕒𝕟𝕕 ℂℝ𝔼𝔸𝕋𝕆ℝ 𝕠𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕦𝕝𝕥-- 𝕃𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 ℂ𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕨, "ℍ𝔼𝕃𝕃 𝕐𝔼𝔸ℍ!" 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕖! 📸 credits: @iamzainmagazine #FitStrong #geeksauce #IAMFITSTRONG #FitStrongarmy #shredded #abs #aesthetic #bodybuilding #powerlifting #AbolishSleevery🚫👕 #fitnessmodel #mensphysique #ripped #fitnessphotos #gainz #gymmotivation #photoshoot

A FIT GUY like me shouldn't have been COVID-19 Positive... WRONG. It can happen to anyone. I'm a COVID-19 survivor. As many of you guys know for the majority of the month of April, I've been recovering from COVID-19. This virus has taken a toll on me both physically and mentally. People know about the physical side effects this deadly virus does, but no one talks about the mental effects it does. The coronavirus can significantly affect mental health for everyone, but especially for those with mental health issues. For me the coronavirus has affected my mental health in numerous ways. Once I got the news of testing positive of testing positive for COVID, I felt embarrassed. Embarrassed by the outcome, there were days I didn't want to get out of bed and didn't think it was worth fighting the battle. Luckily the medication and vitamins I took allowed me to get better COVID-19 will not ruin you; it will reveal you. Despite being cleared of corona, I feel that I haven't fully recovered mentally. I seriously have to work on my mindset. During the rest of quarantine, I'll be experimenting with doing meditation, listening to podcasts, and personal development to recover mentally. Since testing positive for the coronavirus, I've lost a total of 20 lbs. All the muscles I've earned in the past five years is completely gone. I'm even more eager put back what was lost once the gyms start reopening. I feel fortunate for only having a "mild" case because I know there are others who were not as fortunate. God is great and I am grateful! have been so overwhelmed with thoughts, kind gestures, prayers, and sweet words that I've received. I appreciate them more than you will ever know! The coronavirus is no joke and it's affecting people of all ages. Please follow safe precautions, maintain social distancing, and only leave the house if you have to. If we can all do these steps hopefully this epidemic can be over and done with Let's continue to fight this together. Love you guys. #covid19survivor #coronasurvivor #covid19 #coronavirus #saved #blessed #vulnerable #FitStrong #fitstrongsupplements #IAMFitStrong #fitnessmotivation #mondaymotivation #gainz #bodybuilding

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