COVID-19 & Relationships

by Sara Vogt - March 30, 2020

On March 28th, the cases of COVID-19 worldwide have surpassed 657,521 which also includes over 100,000 cases in the United States at this time.

These statistics only have a significant impact on us when we think of the relationships represented in these numbers. Grandparents, parents, children, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and neighbors are a part of that statistic.

This past Saturday, Jim Nobles, President and CEO of Laurel Health Centers, representing the Tioga County COVID-19 Task Force reported to our Home Page audience that our first positive case in Tioga County was confirmed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Now the saying, “we are all in this together and we will get through this together” is a part of our life here in Tioga County too.

Originally the topic of this broadcast was intended to discuss breakfast and our metabolism with Registered Dietitian, Jen Davis. However, in light of our current situation, I would like to give some examples of God’s goodness in the life-giving relationships we value and enjoy, especially during difficult times.

At some point in one of the broadcasts for Movin’ Together, I had the desire to honor the woman who, over thirty years ago, started me on track pursuing health and fitness while teaching for her company called Body and Soul Fitness. Out of respect for her friendship, wisdom, and knowledge, I shared my vision for Movin’ Together with her and she gave me her nod of approval! Four years ago our first Movin’ Together broadcast aired on the Home Page Network. It seemed unlikely that my desire to honor her was going to be achieved, because life happens! This marks another encouragement for all of us during these trying times of the coronavirus – never give up hope for your dreams or desires to be achieved.

We began shooting this broadcast in our Nations’s Capital area in the first week of March, 2020. Jen and I were attending classes in Alexandria, VA presented by IDEA – Health and Fitness Association, a California-based company. These classes are educational, inspirational and filled with wonderful moments of connection.

IDEA permitted Regis Vogt to shoot footage of one of the classes I was attending called Women, Hormones, Metabolism and Energy Expenditure. At one point I turned to the woman sitting next to me to let her know that our son, Regis, was shooting the event. I was pleasantly surprised/slightly shocked to find it was my old friend and mentor, Jeannie Blocher an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and the originator of Body and Soul Fitness. (Watch the video above to see our reactions – it will make you smile!)

Sitting on the other side of me was Jay Grant, Executive Vice President of Marketing for the American Council On Exercise (ACE). ACE is the certification agency through whom I am certified as a personal fitness trainer. Out of seven hundred attendees, I felt humbled and grateful for God’s goodness in being between the two of them.

Jen and I were very grateful to God for our time at the Idea Personal Trainer Institute. The very next week, because of the awareness of Coronavirus spreading, events with more than two hundred fifty people were canceled in that same area of the city.

As I began to reflect on my time with Jen, I started thinking more about the wonderful gift of relationships. My friendship with Jen was strengthened during our time together. We had so much fun attending classes and laughing together, Movin’ Together. One of the restaurants we dined at was called True Food, and its name says it all!

I have always treasured the loving relationship that I have with our son Regis. He works at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC – which is close to the hotel for the IDEA event. He has always encouraged me in doing the Movin’ Together broadcasts, so I asked if he would shoot a video for me of one of my classes. He said yes and in doing so was also was a part my reunion with Jeannie Blocher – journeying with our children through life.

In Movin’ Together our relationships are one of the main reasons for these broadcasts. Encouraging women to be their best, feel their best, look their best and do their best for others. Women often set the tone for relationships both personally and professionally and especially in our homes.

“A strong woman won’t let anyone get the best of her, but a woman of strength gives her best to everyone.” – Lavida Harris

If there is one thing that the COVID-19 challenges are showing us, it’s how important it is to connect with our friends and family – and sometimes even re-connect!

How are you doing with this time of challenge?

In our home, we had to re-adjust to many aspects of these challenges. Our daughter, Johanna’s, college closed. She is now doing her classes here in our home. That was a sad transition for her because she loved being at Liberty University with her professors and friends. We are working through that adjustment, (not perfectly), but looking for ways to make this a great memory for her and us.

During this time of social distancing, we find ourselves spending more time at home and with our families. This time at home gives us additional time to encourage our families in the areas of good nutrition and keeping our immune systems strong. Fruits and vegetables contain nutrients like Vitamin C and beta carotene (which gets converted to Vitamin A) that helps strengthen the immune system.

Even with meal preparation, we can find creative ways to make quality time together. For example, the little ones can set the table while someone else cuts up the oranges for the fruit salad. By the way, did you know that 78% of your daily requirement of vitamin C can be found in one orange? And banana’s are high vitamin in C, B6, and potassium.

Julianna and Johanna each made their favorite breakfasts for the family. Julianna made overnight oats using blueberries that are tasty power tools! A cup offers 24% of your daily value of Vitamin C. You can find a recipe for Julianna’s oats listed here from last year’s broadcast for breakfast.

Johanna made us all smoothies with spinach, pineapple, mango, banana, chia seed, and almond milk. This drink is bursting with nutrition!

I miss having my Movin’ Together teammate, Lauren Gooch, in the studio with me for this broadcast. But even with our social distancing, we are still Movin’ Together through her FaceTime video!

A special note for vegetarians about vitamin C: it helps the body to better absorb non-heme iron — the kind from plant foods such as beans, spinach, and quinoa. To get this benefit, combine vitamin C-rich foods with iron-rich plant foods in the same meal. For example, combine black beans and salsa or create a flavorful spinach salad with strawberries and mandarin oranges.

For those of you who want to shed a few pounds after this time of staying home, the National Weight Control Registry (one of the largest ongoing studies of individuals who have successfully lost weight, with 10,000 members enrolled, approximately 80% of the women) — has found that the majority of people who have lost at least 30 pounds, and kept it off for five years or more, eat breakfast every day.

Remember the most important relationship of all is our relationship with the Lord.

“The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.” Nahum 1:7

Love God with bold abandonment and each other with care and kindness.