I would like to dispel a myth that’s been going around recently: quarantine isn’t the reason why you’re gaining weight.
You can blame COVID-19 for a host of other things but you can’t blame it for the reason you’re getting Quaran-fat.
Keeping fit and staying healthy all starts with the mind.
Put simply –
“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re probably right.” ~ Henry Ford
Don’t just take my word for it. Advanced Dermatology surveyed 1,451 remote workers to find out how Corona Virus has changed their personal and professional life.
Here’s what the researchers found out:
- 54% were concerned about potential weight gain.
- 44% of them gave the reason as being less physically active.
- 37% said it was because they had more access to food.
- 19% were using food as a coping mechanism for anxiety.
So you see, quarantine isn’t making you fat it’s just revealing the story you’re telling yourself every day.
The Real Reason Why You’re Gaining Weight During Quarantine
Let’s look at it this way.
If a freshman gained the “freshman 15” during their first year at college, would we be correct in saying ‘joining college’ was the reason?
It’s more likely the guy/gal spent most nights drinking and consuming excess calories their bodies weren’t used to. Or maybe their levels of activity dropped compared to their high school sports days. Or maybe when mommy and daddy let them go, they didn’t know how to pack their lunch for the day and ended up eating pizza and Chick-fil-A for every meal. These reasons are more probable than joining college.
Same case here.
A lot of things in your life may feel beyond your control right now, and with everyone at home (at the same time, 24/7) emotions can run hot. You’ll just want to skip your workout session. Curl up on the sofa and munch on chips, ice cream or last night’s pizza.
Which is how most people gain weight.
Think about your number one reason (pre-COVID-19) for not working out: you had no time.
There simply weren’t enough hours in the day to go to the gym AND spend time with your family.
What does this tell you?
No matter what situation you’re in – stuck at home or working 8-hour shifts with 2 kids at home – it’s NOT time that you don’t have.
It’s the desire.
And you’re actively making a choice not to work out because it’s not a priority for you.
Right now, most of us are stuck at home. The no-time excuse should be gasping for air in the Mariana trench.
So how do you fix it?
You have to adjust your mindset. Make keeping fit a daily goal. You don’t even have to do intensive 2-hour sessions.
Simply taking a walk or running a couple of blocks.
Putting in 15 minutes or so of short interval sessions or weight training with dumbbells will go a long way in keeping the weight off and staying healthy.
Tomorrow, I’ll share with you my routine.
In health,
Kevin
