Two local medical mothers are leading the community in health, wellness and nutrition through the COVID-19 crisis.
“I started the CovidFit Facebook page in March to motivate myself and others with at-home workouts, personal achievements, healthy recipes and other stay-at-home tips,” said Annie Harring, a doctor of pharmacy and assistant professor of pharmacy at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Harring started the page with a few close friends and family, including her husband and daughters in mind, but it quickly grew in size and recently passed 1,400 members. New posts are added daily with members sharing their own workouts, family fitness routines, healthy recipes and fitness challenges. Members participate in 30-day plank challenges, burpee challenges, posting a picture of their workout challenges and more.
Now the fitness challenges are incentivized. CovidFit partnered with Dr. Daxa Patel of Wellington, owner of soon to be opened Bahia Bowls, and an ob/gyn practicing for more than 20 years.
“As a physician, I was looking for a healthy concept that would appeal to everyone,” Patel said. “The Bahia Bowls menu offers choices that are nutritious and delicious, gluten and dairy free. The bowls and smoothies provide amazing flavor and loads of energy that promote a healthy lifestyle.”
An acai bowl is thick, like a smoothie, and toppings such as granola, fruits and honey are added, and it’s eaten with a spoon.
CovidFit members and contest participants now have the chance to win free acai bowls from Bahia Bowls. “Açaí bowls are a delicious and nutritious post-workout, or anytime, snack. Adding fresh fruit and other healthy options allows for variety and individual taste preferences,” Harring said.
Patel, a Wellington resident and mother of two, agreed.
“Making positive changes such as incorporating fitness and eating well is more important now than ever given the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “It boosts healthy immunity and reduces stress — something we could all benefit from amidst these trying times.”
The page is not just for those experienced with fitness and healthy living. Providing the community with health, wellness and acai support during the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t the only accomplishment the group boasts. CovidFit shirts, designed by Harring’s niece, raised enough money from proceeds to donate more than $1,000 to the Best Foot Forward Foundation, an organization with a COVID-19 Relief Fund for foster children.
