The coronavirus has killed denim.
Women are not reaching to jeans for comfort. These days, during the pandemic, they’re more likely to spend their time in yoga leggings, pajamas and basketball shorts.
Levi’s revenue cratered and they’ve laid off 15 percent of their workforce. The Lucky, Hudson Jeans and True Religion brands filed for bankruptcy. A retail analyst said, (quote) “People just aren’t wearing jeans right now. Casual is really what’s winning right now. Active wear is becoming more acceptable.”
Stores like Lululemon and Athleta have watched their stock rise. WalMart reported that nobody is buying pants. The so-called Zoom Shirt is the only apparel that sells. (The Washington Post)
A pool party turned out to be anything but a party for a New Jersey homeowner who tried to make some money on a hot summer day by turning his backyard pool into a public pool.
Town officials received complaints from neighbors who reported seeing groups of kids arriving at the house and paying to swim in the pool. Code enforcement officers paid a visit and witnessed two buses drop off 85 kids at the house to go for a swim. The homeowner, who was not identified, was issued two summonses for failure to obtain a permit and for renting a swimming pool. Authorities say there is still an ongoing investigation. (Newsweek)
The pandemic threw our exercise routines out of whack. Three fitness experts have suggestions on how to kick-start a workout habit.
Jillian Michaels believes it’s important to start with a clean slate. Wipe away the memory of indulging in desserts or choosing Netflix over an exercise class. She says it’s impossible to be perfect. Focus on how today you can improve your fitness. Do the best you can but never beat yourself up if it’s less than what you did the previous day. Setbacks are part of the fitness journey.
Conditioning coach Gunnar Peterson suggests short intervals of different exercises to keep a workout interesting. For example, walk up and down stairs for four minutes, followed by jumping rope for four minutes, then squats and crunches and push-ups for four. Repeat a second round of three minutes each. Then reduce the intervals for a third round to just two minutes.
Fitness coach Allison Fahrenbach says her secret is “replacing instead of erasing” bad eating habits. Rather than snack on chips, she will crunch on healthy foods like fresh fruits. Swap her afternoon soft drink with sparkling water. Therefore, replacing is not as traumatic as erasing bad habits. (The Wall Street Journal)
