How to not gain weight during Corona Virus?

[Wonderful.Cheese]

I am so worried about weight gain during this virus and stay at home time. I was finally losing weight. Now my jeans fit tighter. I am scared to weigh myself. I binge eat too at times. So that sucks. And I’ve started taking my zyprexa zydis 10 mg AM which is making me eat more I fear but I can’t prove that because husband says I’m not eating more. That, along with not being able to go to my closed gym, and the binge eating at times, well I think it’s a recipe for disaster. I can’t afford a new wardrobe.

Any suggestions on how to at least maintain one’s weight during this hard time? Has anyone else been exercising from home? How do you motivate yourself? Please post links to videos or websites you’ve tried if so. I’m desperate. Thank you for any help!

[jarn]

I have gained weight too Cheese - total stress eating.  I'm starting to get that more under control.  

Trying to walk the dogs, ride my bike (indoors on a trainer) and go for runs.  I'm hoping it will make a difference.  

Would getting outside for walks help?  Fresh air?

[saintalto]

I go running outdoors. Lots and lots of outdoor running. It’s the only thing keeping me sane. 

[coraline]

..

 

 

 

Edited October 19, 2020 by coraline

[Melancholya]

I'd suggest trying to accept that gaining weight during a stressful time is OK, and focus on doing things that make you feel happy and less stressed. Definitely find exercise that you enjoy, as we all know that has proven benefits. But try to take the focus from "don't gain weight" to "look after myself and keep myself happy". If you are less stressed you are likely to do less binge eating too. I know it's upsetting to have everything turned upside down right now but your mental wellness is the top priority (aside from staying isolated). ❤️ 

[dancesintherain]

I'm also stress-eating.  Right now, my main strategies are discussed above.  I go on a walk dailiy--which gets in both exercise and sunlight.  And I try to stock my refrigerator with as healthy stuff as possible.  I have some areas where it's less so, but I'm soon going to be making a vegetarian chili that will last me two weeks-ish.

[Wonderful.Cheese]

I exercised in my home today! I followed a 30 minute cardio video and it felt amazing! I miss the gym and getting pent up agitation out of me. So it felt really good today. I hope to do some more tomorrow. Maybe I just needed to get the ball rolling.

I’d go outside for walks or jogs but I feel so unsafe, like people want to rob me or murder me or will infect me. I even think the air outside is infected. I can’t do it. I wish I could. The sun is shining so lovely today.

Well, oh well. Thank goodness for YouTube!

[chem]

a lot of the USSD martial arts schools are running virtual karate lessons for all ages and levels (INCLUDING people who have never tried martial arts before). I unfortunately had to suspend my membership because of some other life stuff, but if taking up martial arts is something you've wanted to try, you might be able to trial a few classes from the comfort of your living room. 

NOTE: I'm pretty sure there are other karate schools that are offering online classes, but I'm not affiliated with them and can only really speak to the quality of instruction I've received from USSD. NOT sponsored, not paid to promote this. just thought it might be something cool for folx to try if they were looking for a way to exercise

[Antecedent]

it's good to have  nutrient rich things to snack on ... Eat a normal breakfast, lunch, dinner and desert but have healthy stuff lying around for comfort eating.


People see that seeds and nuts have medium to high calories so they assume they are fattening, but you poop out 30% of the calories in seeds and nuts, not like cake! unfortunately

Edited April 2, 2020 by Antecedent

[mikl_pls]

I've heard glucomannan is a pretty good supplement for if you're trying to lose weight. It not only promotes fullness, but absorbs water and has a bunch of other health benefits as I glossed over some articles about it. I remember reading about it when I was doing the keto diet and decided against it for some reason (probably because it would kick me out of keto) but read up on it before you go purchase any.

Also, I can't speak highly enough of the ketogenic diet. It's hard to get on, but once you get on it, it's wonderful. Your energy levels increase and your mood stabilizes. Or at least mine did anyway, and that's the general consensus about it... But while I know it's not sustainable for long periods of time (over 2 years is not recommended medically), you can see a nutritionalist to help you gradually reintroduce carbs and lower fat down into your diet so you don't gain all the weight back. Also, inb4 "keto is a fad diet!" No, it's a medical diet for treatment-resistant epileptics. It just so happens that it has become a fad diet.

Edited April 3, 2020 by mikl_pls

[Rabbity9]

I use two exercise apps, one for general fitness and the other for yoga.

Nike Training Club is a general workout app, is free at the base level, and the premium version is currently free too in response to stay home orders. The premium version has training plans. It offers a lot of workouts for a variety of equipment.  Many only need a couple of dumbbells, and most can be done with no equipment at all, just bodyweight exercise. The thing I like best is the variety of movements. It's not just boring stuff like pushups and situps. 

For yoga, I use Down Dog. It's usually paid, but currently free for everyone through May 1st (not too long left, unfortunately), and till July 1st for healthcare workers, students, and teachers. Lots of different yoga styles, from relaxed stretching to more vigorous flow sequences (good for getting your heart rate up if you're not able to do other cardio!) It randomizes the sequence of poses, so you're never getting the exact same workout twice. A lot of choices for customizing, like music, pacing, how much instruction you get, and added "boosts" to focus on certain areas, like hips or low back.

As for the motivation to load up the app and actually do the workouts...um... I mostly just have to remind myself how much better I will feel afterward. Both mentally 

For avoiding eating too much, I try to take a portion and leave the kitchen. No taking the whole bag of snacks to the couch, just take a handful and that's that. 

[Wonderful.Cheese]

9 hours ago, Rabbity9 said:

I use two exercise apps, one for general fitness and the other for yoga.

Nike Training Club is a general workout app, is free at the base level, and the premium version is currently free too in response to stay home orders. The premium version has training plans. It offers a lot of workouts for a variety of equipment.  Many only need a couple of dumbbells, and most can be done with no equipment at all, just bodyweight exercise. The thing I like best is the variety of movements. It's not just boring stuff like pushups and situps. 

For yoga, I use Down Dog. It's usually paid, but currently free for everyone through May 1st (not too long left, unfortunately), and till July 1st for healthcare workers, students, and teachers. Lots of different yoga styles, from relaxed stretching to more vigorous flow sequences (good for getting your heart rate up if you're not able to do other cardio!) It randomizes the sequence of poses, so you're never getting the exact same workout twice. A lot of choices for customizing, like music, pacing, how much instruction you get, and added "boosts" to focus on certain areas, like hips or low back.

As for the motivation to load up the app and actually do the workouts...um... I mostly just have to remind myself how much better I will feel afterward. Both mentally 

For avoiding eating too much, I try to take a portion and leave the kitchen. No taking the whole bag of snacks to the couch, just take a handful and that's that. 

Thanks for the resources! I’ll look into them! I need the motivational piece to improve still! Argh!

[shesellsseashells]

I've found that if I don't pay close enough attention, I eat much more than I think I do.  I use the free myfitnesspal app and track every last morsel of food I eat.  It helped me to cut down on mindless snacking.  You can also track your water intake, exercise, weight, and so forth if you choose.

[Gearhead]

I haven’t gained weight, but I’m eating things that aren’t my usual. Like, Potato Buds for breakfast every morning that I remember to eat breakfast. You could float a dinghy on the lake of mango kombucha I’ve drunk. 

[chem]

I've hit the point in the pandemic where I have drunk so much cola that the resulting caffeine addition to my system is going to throw all systems out of whack. and please don't ask why there are 20 boxes of captain crunch cereal in my room

I can't seem to lose weight, but I'm maintaining okay. I think

 

[Complicated toad]

@Wonderful.Cheese I too am afraid to weigh myself, I had claimed victory by losing 20 pounds last year and I am afraid it's come back.  I am finding it hard to motivate without the gym, which is silly because there are plenty of things I could do at home, but every day I say I am going to do them and I don't.  I hope I can finally follow through.....i have an old treadmill in the garage but it's 95 and humid today so I am telling myself I will go use it once the weather is supposed to cool down after tomorrow.  We'll see.  I am happy to hear you did a workout at home!  I know it really helps my mental health in addition to the physical fitness.  I need to find that motivation.

@chem I am swimming in empty diet coke cans.  I don't even want to know how much I am drinking, I just know that my empty can bag fills up in a matter of days.  Between that and all the ibuprofen I've been taking for my headaches I will be lucky to have a stomach after this is all over. 

It's just good to know other people are going through the same things during this pandemic.  You all have made me feel better about myself Here's to all of us finding more fitness and healthy eating motivation going forward.

[sugarsugar]

I didn’t think I was that stressed or eating that much but I have gained and I hate it. I blame my dogs and clutter for inability to exercise in my house although any excuse will do. I hate gaining wt, I need to reread everyone’s ideas and try to have a more open mind about options. 

[notloki]

The stress of the situation reduces my appetite so I am losing weight. Adderall helps. I do have to watch out for boredom eating.  

[Gearhead]

38 minutes ago, notloki said:

The stress of the situation reduces my appetite so I am losing weight. Adderall helps. I do have to watch out for boredom eating.  

I’m glad you said so. Sometimes I feel like the only person who loses weight when stressed. It’s surprisingly isolating. I’ve lost enough that I can’t afford to lose much more.

 

[MiaB]

49 minutes ago, Gearhead said:

I’m glad you said so. Sometimes I feel like the only person who loses weight when stressed. It’s surprisingly isolating. I’ve lost enough that I can’t afford to lose much more.

 

Me too. You're not alone.