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Most people are concerned about gaining weight during quarantine – whether or not it was something you previously struggled with. It isn’t easy to find normalcy in a routine while we are all under self-isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only have our day to day habits been practically canceled, but gyms are closed and most people don’t know how to work out at home without guidance.
If you’ve found that you’re gaining weight or not maintaining the same shape you would normally, don’t beat yourself up. This is a stressful time for everyone and the worst thing you could do is blame yourself for something out of your control. Instead, take proactive measures to practice healthy self care and prevent weight gain. Here’s what to do:
De-Stress
Stress eating is a real thing! Salty or sugary foods are called “comfort food” for a reason - we tend to crave these types of things when we are stressed with external factors because they make us feel a sense of ease when we eat them. Target the causes of stress to reduce your desire to stress eat. One way to do this is to take up coloring, as psychology studies have found that coloring generates quietness and mindfulness on the brain, almost like meditation. And meditation is another productive way to mitigate stress. You can find many free meditation guides to listen to and practice online.
Eliminate Junk Food Entirely
Your next step is to eliminate junk food. Re-train your cravings by getting rid of unhealthy snacks like chips, soda or candy entirely. Satisfy your sweet tooth with plain dark chocolate, or get your snacking fix with something healthy, such as apples and peanut butter or trail mix.
Go For A Walk
Taking a walk is a great way to avoid weight gain for a few reasons. The most obvious is that walking is a mild form of exercise that can boost your metabolism and help you burn calories. Plus, walking is a great way to de-stress, which will again help you to reduce cravings for unhealthy comfort foods. Walking is one of the best things you can do when you are in quarantine because it helps you have a slight change of scenery, even if just for a little while. Try taking a walk in your own neighborhood while social distancing. Or, if you live near a state or local park that is still open, you can plan an early morning visit there to take a walk to avoid any crowds.
Try A Home Workout
While gyms and fitness studios are closed, many have started broadcasting their workouts via live Zoom sessions, or given access to On Demand workouts at lower prices. Use this quarantine time to take up a new fitness hobby. You can find online workout classes in dance, HIIT, barre, spinning, yoga… and so many more.
