Livermore Strong, 7000 Del Valle Rd (2026)

15/08/2020

THE GREAT OUTDOORS ••• "In the first month of shelter in place I think I forgot that my activity level had dramatically decreased. Meanwhile, we had a lot of time to dedicate to playing with recipes, so cooking and baking quickly became favorite hobbies at [our] house. I think I must have put on 10 pounds the first month!! It was clearly time for some exercise, and I decided the best way for me to do that was to get back in touch with the great outdoors. I decided to hit the parks around the Tri-Valley, some well known and some new ones (to me, at least.) I find that my mind is calmed every time I'm on the trail, except that one time when I almost stepped on a rattlesnake! The quiet, the peace, the fresh air, the warming sun, has all had a great effect on my physical and mental health. I feel quite blessed to have rediscovered the outdoors, and in the process, a little bit more of myself too." -Mike, Realtor. 🌳 🐍 ☀️

14/08/2020

FRAME OF MIND ••• "It was my birthday two days into quarantine. For heavens sake, a regular birthday cake would’ve been awesome. Instead I got one with a mask and an empty bottle of corona. Haha it was all fun and jokes until two months in and I hit a valley. I wasn’t seeing peaks anymore. I felt so overwhelmed with work, I felt as though I was supposed to be somewhere else in my life. A little over a year ago I just got my bachelors degree. I wasn’t supposed to be here. I feel like I was seeing the same people every day as if it was Groundhog Day. And then something changed. I really started to look at the people around me and the place that I was at and realized that I could not do life every day without the exact people around me. Without them I don’t know where I’d be. Mental health has been such a huge focus for me. It doesn’t mean that I’m completely satisfied with where I’m at, but dang, I love the people I get to be around. I’m so loved and cared for. What a privilege it is." -Rachel, 23, Server. ♥️ 🌄 🕊️

10/08/2020

GREEN THUMB ••• "I started gardening more during the SIP. I get to be home more hours & now have time to tend to the garden, & I also started growing some herbs & veggies cuz of the food shortage issues early on. I would've done more if I had more time, but I'm still working a lot, albeit very grateful I still have a job that I can do from home. Plus I'm known for my black thumb, so actually seeing anything grow successfully under my care feels like a huge accomplishment. It's also really rewarding when I need a meditative escape from all the bad news to watch things come to life, grow, & flourish. The garden changes every day, & it attract lots of beautiful critters like butterflies, dragonflies & that lil guy in my basil." - Maria, Finance
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Thank you Maria for sharing your experience. Your green thumb seems to be paying off. As Jenny Uglow has said, "We might think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it's our garden that is really nurturing us."

Want to see your story on our socials? Send us a DM or email us at: story@livermorestrong.com
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05/08/2020

WALK EVERYDAY ••• “My COVID experience has made my life change very little. After the initial shock we just went to work as usual. It was hard to maintain my health routine due to closures of the few things I did for myself, pedicure, gym and coffee.

What I did and still try to do to stay healthy include sleeping well, making healthier eating choices but also indulging in the occasional ice cream, staying hydrated, and mentally taking a break from social media and reading my books. My dogs make me emotionally happy and I make sure to walk them everyday because it’s good for all of us!” -Ashley, 32, Nurse,
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Thank you Ashley for your service during these crazy times. Now more than ever it is important we stay connected and sharing our experiences is a great way to do that. If you would to see your story on our feeds and website, send us a DM or email us at: story@livermorestrong.com
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29/07/2020

ADAPT ••• “Before COVID my entire life revolved around activities outside my home. Whether it was social, exercise, or work; I spent my time elsewhere, and that's how I liked it. The shelter in place orders were a real challenge for me. It was an opportunity to learn to adapt, and overcome. I learned how freeing isolation can be. I began drilling and training martial arts on my own, I adapted my workouts to accommodate what equipment I had, and learned how to push myself, by myself. Today I am faster, stronger, leaner, and have advanced my mental fortitude. Covid has given me the opportunity to push my limits, and grow in new direction. Its even allowed me to spend more of my time, and attention on my puppy, and he is very thankful for that.” - Kevin, Small Business Owner & Full time Ninja, 31
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Livermore Strong was created by Dr. Heather Isensee, D.C., to build a stronger, healthier community by sharing each other's stories of the effects of the pandemic and how we are coping. We hope the stories shared on this page can be a source of learning and inspiration for us all. If you would to see your story on our feeds and website, send us a DM or email us at: story@livermorestrong.com
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24/07/2020

THE GOOD ••• “I would like to start by saying during times like these it’s important to look for the good wherever we can find it. I clearly remember March 16, 2020. Not only because it’s my birthday but because we would learn that Alameda County had ordered a Shelter in place. As a small business owner & a single mom, 2 weeks off was something I could get behind. I had grand plans to spend time w/ my sons & catch up on the things I never had time to do before. I thought I’d be ahead of the game by the time I went back to work. That feeling was short lived. I quickly learned I had been living w/ a false belief, “ I just need more time, if I had more time I would be caught up & organized, which in turn would make me happy & able to enjoy life. Life would be wonderful, 🍭 & 🌈!“

SURPRISE! Time didn’t end up being the problem; I was. I’ve struggled w/ ADD my entire life. I’ve exhaustively powered through everyday for as long as I can remember. It’s a part of me I can truly say I hated. Past tense, hated, being the optimal word.
I’m incredibly grateful to be given the time to understand myself, find new ways that work for my brain, & most of all, kinder to myself. My new perception of not feeling “Broken” has allowed me to enjoy time, instead of a constant fear of forgetting & not being caught up. Priceless things I will continue to find time for post COVID-19: Backyard Movie Night w/ my favorite people. Sitting & Talking around the fire pit. Ping pong in the garage. Having memes explained to me, I know my son’s love that one. Learning about anime, who knew!? Developing new programs for the Studio. Finding ways that work for me to accomplish my goals. Trying new recipes. Making up new rules to games. Getting to know my kids on a whole new level, they’re awesome by the way. Can’t forget Riggs, our 120 lb. pup. Most of all sheer gratitude for having the health & time to do all the above. Much love & gratitude.” - Terri, Instructor/Owner of Meadows Method Pilates Studio*

23/07/2020

DON’T STOP NOW ••• ”COVID’s been an interesting journey, to say the least. In the weeks leading up to the lockdown, I was in a big overhaul of my life. I was switching careers in a sense, I was lifting, taking an advanced dance/ballet class and practicing yoga five days a week on top of going back to school and working. Then everything hit and for a second I felt trapped. Why did this have to happen now, as soon as I was doing everything right?
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Then I realized: why would I even think of letting that stop me?
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I walk daily. I hike often. I’ve read more books than I thought possible. I started a garden that produced these monstrosities. I’m studying German, Danish and Spanish to refresh. I bought an Olympic hex bar to round out my home gym. I recently cut out drinking (I have a slight pass for birthdays) to help with some auto-immune and gut health issues. I feel really really good. (Being an ambivert helps, I’ll admit)
Overall, I’m just really thankful to have had this time to round out a lot of things in my life. I’m lucky. I’m grateful. I’m pressing on.” -Lierin, 25, medical biller/social marketer 🍅🏋️‍♀️📚
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Have you had time to do anything you would like to share? Tell us about it below. If you would like to share your story and see it posted here, send us a DM. If we learn from each other, we can learn about each other. ❤️
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22/07/2020

NUTRITION ••• ”Hi, my name is Josh and there isn’t much I’m doing differently because of COVID. I am in better shape now than before COVID hit. I am wearing a mask in public because I do think that we need to do what we can to protect each other, even if it means changing some of the everyday things we do. I also think COVID is something that is exposing the lack of nutrition in America. Lack of vitamins and essential things the body needs to work at its best. I have been doing all I can to take [care] of myself even before COVID so I don’t feel that I need to live with the fear of getting sick. I’m still being aware of the people around me and sanitizing more. I do eat natural foods and lots of fruits and veggies. Plus I have been training extremely hard and am in great shape. I have been working out at home and running hills multiple times a week.
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Use this pandemic as motivation to overcome it. Work hard to take care of your body. Motivate others to do the same. The human body and mind are powerful things and something that can’t be defeated with the proper fuel. I hope everyone can learn more about nutrition and the things that we put into our bodies, it really goes a long way! Stay safe!” -Josh, 39, Alameda Country Deputy Sheriffs Recruit 🏃🥗💯
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How have you changed your workout routine since the pandemic? Tell us in the comments 👇. Send us a DM if you are interested in being featured on our social platforms and sharing your experience since the pandemic. We would love to hear from you. If we can learn about each other, we can learn from each other. ❤️
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21/07/2020

NEW HOBBIES ••• "Like most people, I had lots of plans before quarantine happened. One was to fly to Hawaii for my great grandmas 99th birthday and to visit family in April. I pushed myself to lose weight before I flew to Hawaii...signed up for a half marathon and made time to workout in between my 2 jobs. Beginning of quarantine I ended up going back home to the central coast area for a little over a month and it was MUCH needed to spend time with my family. When I had two jobs, I never got to explore or have time to do anything. I’ve been taking advantage of this time to do the things I’ve always wanted to do and accomplish while staying safe and cautious. Including: playing guitar, dancing/shuffling, adventuring to different hiking spots, perfecting my ollies/dropping in, and staying consistent with working out, and I’ve gotten into gardening too! Times are hard but I try to just go with the flow of things, try not to stress or worry so much and focus on my mental and physical health." -Kaytlin, 25, administrator 🌄☀️🌲
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Are you taking time to learn or do something you've always wanted to do? If so, tell us by commenting below👇. Getting outside and appreciating the beauty around you can be a great way to reset your mind, even during the hardest of times.
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Send us a DM if you would like to share your story to inspire others in our community.
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20/07/2020

NFL ••• "The pandemic has allowed me to focus and improve myself mentally and spiritually. I am thankful for the opportunity to truly reflect on my life and grow from experiences.
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As far as fitness, I tore my ACL about 7 weeks ago and can no longer train with my coach, but I have been staying active. There’s plenty of ways to keep working out in these times. Pull ups, pushups, core exercises, yoga, running, and walking are all things everyone can do!!! Pushups are my personal favorite. My weight vest, that I ordered from a while back, FINALLY came, so it will make reps a lot harder.
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Shoutout to Heather for being a HUGE part in this process with my ACL and my body in general. I have been seeing her for a little over a year now.... SHE IS THE BEST! 🔥💯" -Jerry, 19, college student
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Thank you to everyone who has submitted their stories to us, we will be sharing one per day. We hope you have found some inspiration from what we have posted so far. If you would like to share your story with us, send us a DM. If we learn about each other, we can learn from each other. 💪

19/07/2020

LIFE CHANGES ••• "Due to the shelter in place order, my love for plants has evolved into a full on obsession. With nothing to do, and lots of time on my hands, I began a vegetable and herb garden. We got to work right away, my grandfather built raised beds and my mother and I filled them with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, strawberries and so much more. Being able to wake up in the morning and have something to look forward to is what I believe helped me stay sane. Checking for signs of new leaf growth or even just staring at my beautiful babies when I first wake up is something that will continue to give me happiness no matter what. My veggie garden has also recently expanded to include a large amount of adopted cacti and succulents. I had never taken care of cacti or succulents before so this new challenge was something that helped keep my brain engaged throughout the numb feeling of sitting at home day after day. Without the help of caring for plants and learning about plants, I would not have been able to keep myself occupied and happy throughout the past couple of months. I am so thankful that I have been able to surround myself with so much life." -Hayli, 19, Hostess.
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Wow, talk about cacti goals! Whatever you are doing Hayli, keep it up. Those cacti look pretty happy to be in your care. How have you been coping with the pandemic? Have you been staying healthy? Interested in sharing your story with us? If we learn about each other, we can learn from each other. We would love to learn from you and share your story with our community. 👩‍🌾♥️🌵
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18/07/2020

GETTING OUT OF TOWN ••• “Well, with everything closed we kinda had to find the fun outside.” -Evan, Server, 27 and Sam, Bike Technician, 28.
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Dr. Heather Isensee, D.C., is asking people to share how COVID is affecting their lives and what are they doing to stay healthy. If we learn about each other, we can learn from each other. If you would like to share your experience, send us a DM. We would love to hear from you and share your story. 💪🌲🏞
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Livermore Strong