by FCF athlete Maia Kurnik
MPH, Registered Dietitian, ACSM-Certified Exercise Physiologist

Faster than a speeding sneeze cloud (ew)! Stronger than your boss’ germy handshake (remember handshakes?). Able to stop a stampeding rhinovirus with a single cell! Protecting you in planes, trains, and automobiles…

It’s your IMMUNE SYSTEM! *Trumpet fanfare*

Your immune system is a silent superhero – defending your body against infectious bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other invaders right this very moment. An impressive collection of tissues, cells, and proteins, your immune system wields physical shields, as well as chemical and guerilla warfare, to keep you healthy. It’s the hero we deserve and the hero we need during a global pandemic.

Your body is well-equipped to fend off most bugs that would seek to make you sick, but it could use a little extra help from a trusty sidekick armed with the following five immune-boosting habits:

1. Wash your hands and avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth.

Seriously. Just do it. Many diseases, not just COVID-19, are spread by not washing our hands. Our skin forms a physical barrier against harmful bugs, but our eyes, nose, and mouth are weak points in that armor where viruses and bacteria can enter. Handwashing can reduce respiratory illnesses, like colds, by 16 percent to 21 percent in your community1,2.

Pro tip: Sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” the “Alphabet Song,” or “Happy Birthday” twice through while annihilating your germy foes with warm, soapy water. As Kanye West says, “Every superhero need his theme music.”

2. Get enough sleep.

Experts agree that most adults need at least seven to nine hours of sleep per night3.  Studies show people who don’t get enough quality sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus like the common cold4,5. Furthermore, getting enough sleep can help you recover faster if you do get sick6. To make your Fortress of Solitude more conducive to sleep, avoid electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime, finish exercise and your last meal three-ish hours before bedtime, and develop a consistent and relaxing bedtime routine7. This is especially important for my swolemates trying to get those gains. Your body releases growth hormone in the deepest stages of sleep, which is critical for building muscle mass. Get enough Zzz’s to hit those Kg’s. 

3. Manage your stress.

Chronic stress is your immune system’s kryptonite. Stress weakens your immune system by reducing the number of white blood cells available to fight off infection8. Meditation and deep breathing help to counteract the effects of stress by reducing cortisol, a stress-related hormone, and improve mental focus10,11.

Try this simple, one-minute meditation: In a comfortable seat, breathe in for four counts, pause, and breathe out for four counts. Repeat the cycle and notice where you feel your breath – your nose, your chest, your belly. 

Now is the time to make stress management habits into a regular practice. Like your glutes, these habits work better the more you use them. Journaling, yoga, petting cute dogs, listening to music, breathing, connecting (virtually) with loved ones, exercise… pick a few that feel good and make them a daily habit. In addition, set down social media, turn off the news, and unfollow your weird uncle who keeps posting inflammatory BS. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life, honey.

4. Nourish your body.

One of the most frequently asked questions I get as a dietitian is, “What specific food can I eat to ________?” But, just as Captain America couldn’t defeat Loki and his Chitauri army alone – he needed the whole Avengers team – no single food is super all on its own. Similarly, individual nutrients from a variety of whole foods work together to defeat bacteria and viruses. Meet your own Immunity Avengers12:

  • Brightly colored fruits and veggies provide vitamins A and C, in addition to dozens of other phytonutrients and antioxidants. For the most benefit, eat from the entire rainbow of colors each day. 
  • Protein is a necessary building block for your body’s defenses. Food-forms of protein are best, and most of us can get by without shakes, bars, or powders. Eat a protein-rich food at least 2-3 times each day.
  • Zinc is an immune-boosting superhero found in oysters, chicken, beans and peas, almonds, cashews, yogurt, and oats13.
  • Stay Hydrated to keep every component of your physiology running well. How much is enough? Drink ‘til you pee nearly clear

The goal here is progress, not perfection. It’s a weird time right now, so your eating habits might feel a little off, or you might notice yourself snacking more than usual. That’s very okay, and very human. Focus on one or two small ways that you can nourish yourself well today. 

5. Trust in the power of lifestyle habits, not supplements.

Put down the “immune booster” supplement. While it could help, it’s no match for the evils of poor nutrition, chronic stress, and not enough sleep. Here’s the truth: not all supplements are created equal, and very few are tested for safety and efficacy. Instead, make handwashing, quality sleep, stress management, and solid nutrition daily habits. With these powers combined, your immune system can shine like the superhero it is!

References

  1. Rabie T and Curtis V. Handwashing and risk of respiratory infections: a quantitative systematic review.Trop Med Int Health. 2006 Mar;11(3):258-67.
  2. Aiello AE, Coulborn RM, Perez V, Larson EL. Effect of hand hygiene on infectious disease risk in the community setting: a meta-analysis.Am J Public Health. 2008;98(8):1372-81.
  3. Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al. Joint Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society on the Recommended Amount of Sleep for a Healthy Adult: Methodology and Discussion. Sleep. 2015 Aug;38(8):1161-1183.
  4. Cohen S, Doyle WJ, Alper CM, Janicki-Deverts D, Turner RB. Sleep Habits and Susceptibility to the Common Cold. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(1):62–67. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2008.505
  5. Ibarra-Coronado EG, Pantaleon-Martinez AM, Velazquez-Moctezuma J, et al. The Bidirectional Relationship between Sleep and Immunity against Infections. J Immunol Res. 2015 Aug; 678164
  6. Imeri L and Opp MR. How (and why) the immune system makes us sleep. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2010 Mar; 10(3):199-210
  7. “Healthy Sleep Habits.” Sleep Education. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Web. 10 Oct 2018. http://sleepeducation.org/essentials-in-sleep/healthy-sleep-habits
  8. Sorrells SF and Sapolsky RM. An Inflammatory Review of Glucocorticoid Actions in the CNS. Brain Behav Immun. 2007 Mar; 21(3):259-272.
  9. Vitlic A, Lord JM, Phillips AC. Stress, ageing and their influence on functional, cellular, and molecular aspects of the immune system. Age (Dordr) 2014; 1169–1185. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4082590/
  10. Vago DR and Silbersweig DA. Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness. Front Hum Neurosci. 2012; 6:296 Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2012.00296/full
  11. Eckberg DL. The human respiratory gate. J Physiol (2003); 548(2): 339-352.
  12. “Protect Your Health with Immune-boosting Nutrition.” Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Web. 17 Oct 2018. https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/preventing-illness/protect-your-health-with-immune-boosting-nutrition
  13. “Zinc.” Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Web. 17 Oct 2018. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/

Paolo setting up for medicine ball cleans

WORKOUT for Wednesday 4/1/2020

FULLY EQUIPPED OPTION
AMRAP in 9:00
30 box jump overs
60 push press
90 med ball cleans
– rest 3:00 then –
AMRAP in 6:00
30 box jumps
60 hang cleans
90 v-ups

NO/LIMITED EQUIPMENT OPTION
30 pogo burpees
60 close-grip pushups
90 v-ups
– then –
30 pogo burpees
60 tuck jumps
90 v-ups

Post total reps completed to comments.

2nd Serving: Need More Work?
Strength-bias

At-Home “JT”
21-15-9 reps for time:
hspu
pushups
dips

HSPU Skill Ladder: EMOM x4 do 1-2-1

READ: 5 Tips to Keep Your Immune System Heroic During COVID-19 – Maia K for Foundation CrossFit
WATCH:

Here are some of the things you may have missed from Dave’s Instagram Live from Sunday in how to break down a chicken (with very little waste)!

Chicken Stock
– Chicken bones, Mirepoix (2 parts onion, 1 part carrots, 1 part celery, thyme, parsley stem, peppercorn, bay leaf )
– Just cover with water, bring to simmer (DO NOT BOIL), drop heat to light percolation, skim funk as it cooks.  3-4 hours on stove/1 hour in pressure cooker.  Let cool, strain, store (you can freeze)

Roasted Chicken Breast
– Marinade is whole grain mustard, salt & pepper, extra virgin olive oil, herbs (best to let sit overnight)
– Sear both sides on medium heat then throw in oven until cooked thoroughly

Drums & Thighs
– Braise is soy sauce, ginger, garlic, chicken stock.
– Place everything in pyrex, loose cover, cook at 325. 

Roasted Wings
– Marinate in fish sauce, red wine vinegar, garlic, and honey overnight.
– Roast at 375 degrees.

Crispy Chicken Skin
– Place on sheet tray, stretch them out, season with salt.
– Roast at 350.
– Adds texture to anything (use in place of bacon)

WORKOUT for Tuesday 3/31/2020

Three-Peat

On a running clock

0:00-7:00
Complete 3 rounds of
20 jumping lunges
20 single-arm snatch

7:00-14:00
Complete 3 rounds of
20 jumping lunges
20 single-arm power clean

14:00-21:00 or faster
Complete 3 rounds of
20 jumping lunges
20 single-arm thrusters

Dumbbell is ideally 50/35/20lbs. Kettlebell would be 24/16/12kg.

2nd Serving – Need More Work?
Endurance-Bias

5:00-4:00-3:00-2:00-1:00-2:00-3:00-4:00-5:00 for max total calories on a rower/ski/bike. Rest 1:00 between each interval.

READ: Support Your Local Box Fundraiser – CrossFit
WATCH: Where today’s 2nd Serving came from (via Owen):

This week we transition to the majority of classes taught on Zoom- please use ZenPlanner to RSVP for your class and get the relevant meeting locations.

We will still go on Instagram/YouTube LIVE once or twice this week. Keep your eye here on the blog for news and updates!

WORKOUT for Monday 3/30/2020

NO EQUIPMENT OPTION 
for time:
800m run
50 hand-release burpees 
800m run
80 walking lunges 
800m run
100 jumping air squats 

FULLY EQUIPPED OPTION
for time:
800m run
30 db devil’s press
800m run
40 db box step-overs
800m run
50 db front squats

25:00 time cap. Fully Equipped goes with a pair of 50/35/20lbs dumbbells.

2nd Serving: Need More Work?

21s of bicep curls
21s of front delt raises
21s of bicep curls
21s of front delt raises
21s of bicep curls

Change loading as needed, but complete all reps for the full benefit. Ensure good range-of-motion. Posture may change and that’s fine.

Strength Ladder: EMOM x 4 of 1-2-1 handstand pushups, or any other movement you find difficult in large sets.

READ: Trump’s Extends Social Distancing Guidelines to End of April – NY Times
WATCH: Today’s 2nd Serving Suggestion

Watch Coach Dave as he teaches how to break down a chicken LIVE on Instagram on Sunday morning at 10am on the @foundationcrossfit feed.

WORKOUT for Sunday 3/29/2020

for time:
30′ suitcase lunge, R
30′ suitcase lunge, L
1600m run
30′ suitcase lunge, R
30′ suitcase lunge, L
800m run
30′ suitcase lunge, R
30′ suitcase lunge, L
400m run

Wear a 20/14lbs vest or pack if you can! Post times to comments.

2nd Serving: Need More Work?

GO OUTSIDE, and respect social distancing. 10/9′ at minimum. That’s your wall ball distance!

HSPU Strength Ladder: EMOMx3 of 1-2-1

READ: The Stranger’s Take-Out and Delivery Restaurant List – The Stranger
WATCH: Gut Health = HEALTH.

GET IT?! Catch it at 10am on Instagram LIVE or at the YouTube LIVE video above.

(Yes we’re serious- a 3-year-old will be leading a stretching/kids yoga class. Probably 30 minutes or so. I’ll be in the back doing the “serious” versions of the stretches)

WORKOUT for Saturday 3/28/2020

1-to-13 reps for time:
handstand pushup
pullup/table row/bent-over row

Post time to comments!

2nd Serving: Need More Work?
(Strength-biased)

3 rounds for quality:
21s front raises
21s bicep curls
21s tricep extensions

HSPU Ladder: every 2 minutes on the minute do 1-2-3-2-1 (1:00 work, 1:00 rest)

READ: THIS IS A FRIEND I GREW UP WITH: Survivor Urges Cooperation, Unity in Fight Against COVID-19 – NW Asian Weekly
WATCH: Yesterday’s workout on YouTube LIVE:

WORKOUT for Friday 3/27/2020

for max total reps
a.
:20 high knees (jump rope)
:10 rest
:20 double pushup burpees
:10 rest
(repeat 4 times)

b.
:20 mountain climbers
:10 rest
:20 1/2 pushup hold
:10 rest
(repeat 4 times)

c.
:20 Russian twist
:10 rest
:20 hollow
:10 rest
(repeat 4 times)

d.
:20 jumping power squats
:10 rest
:20 (weighted) wall sit
:10 rest
(repeat 4 times)

e.
:20 goblet squats
:10 rest
:20 weighted wall sit
:10 rest
(repeat 4 times)

Rest 1:00 between sets. Post total reps completed to comments.

FULLY EQUIPPED
Same format and goal as above
a. high knee jump rope / double burpee pushups
b. knees-to-elbows / dip support
c. weighted Russian twist / L-sit
d. hang power clean, 43/29/20kg / weighted wall sit
e. front squat, 43/29/20kg / weighted wall sit

Post total reps completed to comments.

2nd Serving: Need More Work?

for time: 5k row/run/ski (10k bike)

HANDSTAND PUSHUPS: E2MOM x2: 1-2-3-2-1

READ: The Secret of Loaded Carries – T-Nation
WATCH: How are your desk ergonomics? All I would ask is can you adjust position frequently enough so that you’re not frozen for a workday?

AIR HIGH FIVES!

How are you holding up?

WORKOUT for Thursday 3/26/2020

NO/LIMITED EQUIPMENT
for time:
100 walking lunges
80 (jumping) squats
60 situps
40 1-arm burpees, alternating
60 situps
80 (jumping) squats
100 walking lunges

FULLY EQUIPPED
for time:
40 front lunges, 43/29/20kg
30 toes-to-bar
20 hang power snatch, 43/29/20kg
10 squat clean thruster, 43/29/20kg
20 overhead squats
30 toes-to-bar
40 front lunges, 43/29/20kg

Post time to whiteboard!

2nd Serving: Need More Work?
Strength-bias

for time:
40 front squats, heavy and awkward
40 hspu / hand-release T-pushups

Front squat should be around 70/50/30kg if you are fully equipped. If “heavy and awkward” is not an option double the reps to 80.

READ: Seattle Station Says It Won’t Carry Trump’s Coronavirus Briefings – Deadline
WATCH: Pulling and back exercises are part of the home exercise diet that seem to disappear, especially if you have no/limited equipment. This is why you’re prescribed so many hanging exercises in the gym: both barbell and pullup bars.

FCF doing “CINDY” at Greenlake Park, April 2009

WORKOUT for Wednesday 3/25/2020

LIMITED EQUIPMENT
3 rounds for max total reps:
 1:00 thruster
 1:00 burpee
 1:00 push press
 1:00 box jumps
 1:00 SDHP
 1:00 rest

FULLY EQUIPPED (Find me in that video!)
3 rounds for max total reps:
 1:00 wall ball, 20/14/8lbs to 10/9/9′
 1:00 SDHP, 35/25/15kg
 1:00 box jumps, 20/16/12″
 1:00 push press, 35/25/15kg
 1:00 calorie row
 1:00 rest

NO EQUIPMENT
3 rounds for max total reps:
 1:00 jumping squat
 1:00 burpee
 1:00 hand-release pushups 
 1:00 tuck jumps
 1:00 prone snow angels
 1:00 rest

Join us at 7am on Zoom, 12pm on Zoom and Instagram Live, and on YouTube at 6pm we’ll premiere yet another Follow Along Workout video:

Share total reps completed to comments!

2nd Serving: Need More Work?

400m walking lunge. Give yourself a 15:00 time limit. Scale to 300m or 200m if needed.

READ: Fitness Industry Fights for Inclusion in Third Stimulus Package – Club Industry
WATCH: Did you purchase THE FITTEST like I did? Shall we watch party?

Join us for an INSTAGRAM LIVE and Facebook Live Q&A tomorrow at 1:05pm after the 12pm workout for a 30-minute discussion on FITNESS AT HOME, especially now with Governor Inslee’s STAY HOME, STAY HEALTHY mandate.

Not only are they our best friends, but they can work as weights in a pinch!

WORKOUT for Tuesday 3/24/2020

For today’s workout you’ll need a band or weights. Don’t have weights? You can utilize a carry-on luggage or a duffle bag or back pack, weighted with something.

AMRAP in 10:00 for time:
10 sumo deadlift high pull
10 Right-arm press
10 sumo deadlift high pull
10 Left-arm press

Share rounds completed to whiteboard.

7am: Live workout on Zoom
12pm: Live workout on Zoom, Instagram Live, and Facebook Live
6pm: YouTube Premiere

2nd Serving: Need More Work?

a. Superset. Rest 2-3:00 between sets. Load/control so prescribed reps are reached with 2-3 reps in reserve.
goblet squats 15-10-8-8-8
good morning 15-10-8-8-8 4

b. Superset. Rest 2-3:00 between sets. Load/control so prescribed reps are reached with 2-3 reps in reserve.
12+ Bulgarian split squat/side
20 stiff-leg sumo deadlifts

c. For time.
50 feet-parallel calf raise
50 toes-out calf raise
50 feet-parallel calf raise
50 toes-in calf raise
50 single-leg calf raise/side
50 feet-parallel calf raise

READ: CrossFit Community Grieves the Passing of Giancarlo Agostino Di Maria – Morning Chalk Up
WATCH: On a scale of 1 (Zombie) to 10 (GREAT), how would you rate your sleep? On a weekly average?