If you’ve gained weight during the Covid-19 pandemic, you aren’t alone. The “Quarantine 19” is referring to weight gain some people have experienced since stay-at-home guidelines went into effect. It is most likely due to a disruption in daily routine, new habits, binge watching tv, and stress eating.
SInce we are spending more time at home, people’s habits have changed quite a bit, and those changes can affect our weight. So what to do? Let’s take a look.
Change in movement
With gyms, and studio’s closed it is more difficult to get with the people we love to see in our classes, and use the equipment that we don’t have at home. Due to this people are doing less exercise and burning less calories, and having a hard time keeping their head cleared and staying motivated. Many studios and private gyms are offering on-line classes. They can be a lot of fun….different, but fun! Check it out.
Consuming more calories
Ha! No doubt. We are tending to consume more calories. There is a lot of comfort food eating and there is still a lot of take out foods also being consumed. Most of the time it is high-calorie, and has less food value. Many people are stocking up frozen foods and processed foods that have a long shelf life.They’re higher in calories and less healthy. On the flip side, for example, fruits and vegetables. They don’t last as long, and we may be consuming less of them. These are a few of the reasons why we might be at risk for weight gain through both in burning activity and in consuming more calories.
Why weight gain matters
A few pounds short term may not make a difference. It could be fluid. It might be just a little weight gain while we establish new routines. Obviously, the more weight we gain and the longer it’s maintained, the more it affects our health. If children establish those habits, or lack of healthy habits when they’re young and they gain weight, that might persist as they go into adolescence and adulthood. Similarly, with adults, as we maintain those habits, if we can establish a new routine, the longer this goes on, then we can arrest that weight gain and try and maintain a normal weight. It’s more important for some people than others. For example, people who have diabetes and high blood pressure. Just a modest amount of weight gain in some people, if they’re sensitive to that, can increase their blood glucose and blood pressure. It is more difficult to have as good control over these factors, with these conditions. So, it depends on the individual, it depends on their health conditions, and it depends on long-term habits or routines.
Sleep
After a long day of working, eating right and light (or not) exercise inside your home, you will hopefully be well on your way to a good night’s rest, which is also key to keeping stress at bay. If you are sleep deprived, that’s going to be one of the things that will really increase your cortisol levels, which equates to weight gain. Ugghh!!
Establish new habits
With all habits, it takes time to establish them, so everybody is getting accustomed to this new normal. I’d encourage people to establish those new healthy habits now. You have to be a little proactive about this, and that’ll make it easier in the long term. Break out of your comfort zone, or your not so comfort zone.
With all habits, it takes time to establish them, so everybody is getting accustomed to this new normal. I’d encourage people to establish those new healthy habits now. You have to be a little proactive about this, and that’ll make it easier in the long term. Break out of your comfort zone, or your not so comfort zone.
Instead of giving in to large amounts of comfort food, this can be an opportunity to make foods that we may not think of as healthy. Try making a list of healthy foods that you and your family like, and make meals around these items. Planning is a real key here if you plan ahead rather than just grabbing something at the last moment. Try and raise your culinary skills and do a little bit more cooking. It’s an opportunity for that, too. So, if we can embrace this, embrace our new normal, look for opportunities to establish new healthy routines.
Staying hydrated is a key in helping with weight loss. Remember electrolytes are as important to keeping you hydrated as drinking the water. There are also some great supplements to help with weight loss that can be healthy choices.
In closing…let’s tie it all together.
Get Moving-Move your body a minimum of 2-3 times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Consume more healthy food choices,. Get enough sleep. Try getting on a more strict schedule, and turn of the TV, and get of the Internet earlier so your brain can shut down, and you can sleep. Stay Hydrated. Change your habits.
We are here for you. Whether you need advice or some brainstorming for new changes, we can help. Stay Healthy, Stay Safe….
And ……
“LET US BE YOUR DOORWAY TO HEALTH”
