3 Steps to Shed the Pandemic 15

When was the last time you stepped on the scale?

No judgement here. But if you’ve been avoiding the scale during the global pandemic, you’re not alone.

COVID-19 restrictions across the county have had a huge impact on school, work, and business. Many shifted online in the past year. But it’s also had an impact on diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits.

In a recent study published in Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, researchers found that at least 22 percent of adults have gained weight during the pandemic.

It’s kind of been the perfect storm to tip the scale in the wrong direction.

Researchers believe COVID-19 restrictions increased snacking, ordering to-go, consuming comfort foods, and eating more to manage anxiety, stress, and worry.

Sound familiar?

If you’ve gained weight during COVID-19 lockdowns, closures, working from home, and the uncertainty of it all, you can change this in three simple moves:

1. Eat healthy food

Skip the pizza, chips, burgers, fries, soda and treats. And aim to eat healthier. Most of your food should come from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, nuts and seeds, and legumes. And your drink of choice...water.

If you need a little help to clean up your diet, check out the Portion-Control menu and check out the list of 80-plus means made from fresh ingredients and ready to eat in minutes.

2. Be more active

In some states, COVID-19 lockdowns closed gyms, fitness centers and training studios. And the winter months have only made it harder to get outside in some areas. But if you want to shed the weight, be more active.

Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. Take a walk. Go for a run. Ride a bike. And if your gym is open, swim, lift weights, or take a fitness class.

3. Develop healthy habits

If you’ve among the 22 percent to gain weight during COVID-19, chances are pretty good you let some good habits slide. And they got bumped out for less-than healthy habits like:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Getting regular exercise
• Managing stress in healthy ways
• Drinking plenty of water
• Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night
• Avoid eating late a night

How would you rate yourself on these things? If you think you need to improve, NOW is always the best time to start. These are healthy habits that can help you shed those pandemic pounds and improve your health.