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How does Covid-19 affect Obesity epidemic?

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  • LJRS2019
    LJRS2019 Posts: 66 Member
    snowflake954 wrote: »
    LJRS2019 wrote: »
    I am overweight by 60lb technically obese but you know what - *kitten* you. and my first thought was "great I will put on another 40lb" and then I don't know... I started tracking and lost 7lb and then I started upping the anti on the nutrition and lost another 3lb and then I walked 3 miles a day and then 4 miles and then 5 miles and this week I hit 6 miles... things are loser... things are happening...

    I think my lack of choice at this point has been the key in me getting the ball rolling. I am actually going to come out of this pandemic a lot better than when i went it (unless I get covid in which case you are all allowed to laugh at the irony of this post, i will keep you posted)

    Actually I think you're doing great. Congratulations! That's the way it works--lose a little and then a little more. It doesn't matter what got you started, we all have that moment. Stay safe and just keep going, and please do keep us posted.

    Thank you! Getting there :)
  • LisaHeb1979
    LisaHeb1979 Posts: 219 Member
    My personal experience, it's important for me to continue watching what I eat and be active. Is watching what I eat harder - no. I didn't indulge on snack foods, so I still don't. Is staying active harder, no. I make the time and include my kids. They are staying active as well. We just have to acknowledge the circumstances and make it work. If there are excuses, then it's not important. Just my opinion.
  • LJRS2019
    LJRS2019 Posts: 66 Member
    corinasue1143 wrote: »
    @LJRS2019 kitten you too. And dog you, and giraffe you. And whatever else it takes to encourage you. Whatever your reason, whatever your means, just keep on keeping on, getting better, happier, healthier all the way! You go!

    Haha honestly the fc*k wasn't aimed at anyone ;)
  • AlexandraFindsHerself1971
    AlexandraFindsHerself1971 Posts: 3,107 Member
    The main impact for me is that the gym is shut down. I am in a different boat than most, as I have a neurological disease that gives me exercise intolerance and I also have hypermobile joints. What works for me is a very slowly progressing weight program using the machines at a gym, because I can't overextend myself on those. Now, I was doing yoga at home and I've continued with that, of course, but I won't be able to do a lot of strength work until I can get back in the gym and do it safely. Walking would be nice, but I injured my feet in my twenties and now they have a very definite standing budget. It's increased dramatically after losing 25 pounds, but it's still not quite up to both walking for exercise AND the normal ADLs that involve standing and walking around. I think I'll get there, but not quite there yet.
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,460 Member
    I miss the gym so much. I, too, have to take things very slowly. I hate to lose what I had built up. It will take sooo loooong to get back to where I was. But I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Gyms will reopen. I’m so excited!
  • alexmose
    alexmose Posts: 792 Member
    corinasue1143 wrote: »
    I miss the gym so much. I, too, have to take things very slowly. I hate to lose what I had built up. It will take sooo loooong to get back to where I was. But I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Gyms will reopen. I’m so excited!

    Yeah. Actually I need to consciously remind myself not to overdo it at home and that I only need a very small amount of volume to maintain gains. I am still learning this lesson slowly but surely.
  • laughingdakini1
    laughingdakini1 Posts: 52 Member
    Since I am often at home alone anyhow, I have found that having my partner here fulltime, and me having the incentive to cook well for both of us, has made huge changes in the quality of food and fitness and weight in both of us. I restarted myfitnespal (which I had forgotten for a year or few) and that helped me see that I would idly eat much more than I had thought I was consuming, so now I aim for healthy things, drink buckets of water, and cook a good meal at least once a day which makes leftovers, and we are both looking and feeling much better--no scales in the house, but it has completely improved our health and weight for the better. I stand in front of my computer for hours a day, dancing in place, and that really gives decent muscle tone and feel. There's still fat, but there's fit muscles underneath now. So, our obesity has dropped bigtime so far.
  • NLP6618
    NLP6618 Posts: 6,201 Member
    I get to go back to work tomorrow. I’m ready. Sick of sitting on my booty. I have been active riding bike. But I miss the gym. I hope it opens soon. Stay safe
  • gradchica27
    gradchica27 Posts: 773 Member
    I am seeing a ridiculous increase of walkers/joggers/bike riders in my area. Many seem totally new (judging solely by how many grown people I see riding bikes on the sidewalk when we have TWO bike lanes on that road—a regular one and a passing lane—and traffic is down so much that any car in the lane next to the bike lanes can easily move to the center lane...so zero reason anyone over maybe 8 yo needs to ride on the sidewalk).

    Plenty of families out on bikes (mine too—we rarely had time for regular rides before), or walking together, lots of solo walkers/runners. So many that our HOA sent an email reminding us to look out for these folks when pulling out of driveways bc some people are letting their kids ride up driveways and HOA is scared someone will open their garage door and back out over a kid (who lets their kids go up on someone else’s property?!?)

    My own family is probably overall mostly as active, but less intensely so. We had someone playing soccer every single day before this, and while their biking around the cove and trampoline bouncing has definitely increased, its likely not equaling 90 min soccer practices and 60 min games 5x/week for each kid in intensity. And I’m walking and jogging more, but my lifting is a lot lighter at home than in the gym. I can’t jog often (thanks, hip) so walking isn’t as intense as the stair climber. But overall, we’re balancing less intensity with more overall activity.

    Anyway, I am seeing a big increase in activity, which is great. We are usually outside playing during breaks in the school day (homeschoolers) and rarely see a soul. What people are eating and drinking, who knows. I am hoping more cooking and less takeaway. I’m in one of the fatter states, so hoping we can come through this a little lighter!
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,887 Member
    Activity seems pretty much the same around here (a reasonably active neighborhood in normal times), although it varies a lot based on weather and it's been mediocre lately.

    Thank goodness no biking on the sidewalks other than a couple of 10-y-o girls who are allowed. That's totally my pet peeve (and against the law if one is over 12 or so). No bike lanes on most of the streets I walk and run on, but they are side streets and with the reduction in traffic bikers have basically free range most of the time.
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,862 Member
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    Activity seems pretty much the same around here (a reasonably active neighborhood in normal times), although it varies a lot based on weather and it's been mediocre lately.

    Thank goodness no biking on the sidewalks other than a couple of 10-y-o girls who are allowed. That's totally my pet peeve (and against the law if one is over 12 or so). No bike lanes on most of the streets I walk and run on, but they are side streets and with the reduction in traffic bikers have basically free range most of the time.

    The ones on the wrong side of the street are mine.
  • NeahF
    NeahF Posts: 49 Member
    I don't have many friends that are keeping up with their exercise. My "athletic" friends, even. I wonder if this will affect sports, too, with inability to train for some people. I do know that with motivation and access (I've been blessed with a lot of gym equipment at home), it is possible to stay fit and even improve firness during this time. However, I personally see the majority of our population left at home without as much access and, frankly, less motivation. I'm seeing members of my own family grow a little wider and a little more attached to the couch and Xbox. One of these members is 15 years old and I think he should recover just fine when baseball starts back up. It might take awhile, but I think things should recover, even motivation within the gym. Right now, yes, I think the world has gained a few pounds, or I'm guessing.
  • corysmithsmail
    corysmithsmail Posts: 166 Member
    I think it just depends on a lot of factors. Mental Health, prior levels of activity, current priorities. Some might be too stressed worried about the pandemic to workout, some may workout more because they are stressed and working out is the one thing they can control.

    Also with people being stuck inside, especially those used to working out at the gym or outside, might get stir crazy and be more inclined to walk the dog more/longer etc.

    Like myself, I definitely don't want to lose my momentum with trying to build muscle, so I head straight to Walmart to get some fitness equipment. Saw some members from my gym there doing the same thing. The comraderie warmed my soul lol
  • The_Enginerd
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
    NeahF wrote: »
    I don't have many friends that are keeping up with their exercise. My "athletic" friends, even. I wonder if this will affect sports, too, with inability to train for some people. I do know that with motivation and access (I've been blessed with a lot of gym equipment at home), it is possible to stay fit and even improve firness during this time. However, I personally see the majority of our population left at home without as much access and, frankly, less motivation. I'm seeing members of my own family grow a little wider and a little more attached to the couch and Xbox. One of these members is 15 years old and I think he should recover just fine when baseball starts back up. It might take awhile, but I think things should recover, even motivation within the gym. Right now, yes, I think the world has gained a few pounds, or I'm guessing.

    Garmin's analysis based on the data from Garmin Connect indicates that folks are shifting what they are doing, but overall, fitness is finding a way. There are some sports where sport specific training will suffer or team sports cannot be played, but overall people are finding a way to be active even in the most locked down areas.

    https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/general/the-effect-of-the-global-pandemic-on-active-lifestyles/
    https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/general/the-global-pandemic-and-active-lifestyles-part-ii/

    In my area where outdoor activity is permitted, the weather is nice, and schools and daycare are all closed, I've noticed more folks out than usual walking or biking.
  • gradchica27
    gradchica27 Posts: 773 Member
    NeahF wrote: »
    I don't have many friends that are keeping up with their exercise. My "athletic" friends, even. I wonder if this will affect sports, too, with inability to train for some people. I do know that with motivation and access (I've been blessed with a lot of gym equipment at home), it is possible to stay fit and even improve firness during this time. However, I personally see the majority of our population left at home without as much access and, frankly, less motivation. I'm seeing members of my own family grow a little wider and a little more attached to the couch and Xbox. One of these members is 15 years old and I think he should recover just fine when baseball starts back up. It might take awhile, but I think things should recover, even motivation within the gym. Right now, yes, I think the world has gained a few pounds, or I'm guessing.

    I’m seeing the lack of sports motivation in my children. They used to be out playing soccer, baseball, basketball, and football constantly (indoors or out!) but not as much anymore. I think because they have no teammates, no games, no practices, not even our weekly pickup games with friends to look forward to. They’re out biking and playing on the trampoline, but not practicing their sports much, I suppose bc they have no real incentive/nothing to work toward on the visible horizon. The older ones are 8 and 10. Telling them they’ll get back at it in two months or so is too far away to spur things into action, I suppose.
  • Iwantahealthierme30
    Iwantahealthierme30 Posts: 293 Member
    cassasorusrex619 wrote: »
    I'm probably an exception because of other factors, but my activity and eating has improved since the pandemic.

    Same.
  • SnifterPug
    SnifterPug Posts: 746 Member
    I've got fitter during lockdown because I have more time to work out. I have also realised that I need to work out for my mental health. On the odd day I have done nothing I have really noticed the difference. So now I do something every day, even if I don't really feel like it. I always feel better afterwards. My husband's weight loss (he is obese) has stalled, however. It's just too easy to get to the fridge.
  • kristingjertsen
    kristingjertsen Posts: 239 Member
    It has been a positive for our family. The link of going out to eat as a family or getting popcorn, coke, and candy at the movies is broken. We are cooking 95% of meals at home, making homemade treats like chocolate chip cookies from scratch that last 4 or 5 days, and cooking and cleaning up after meals as a family. My 17 year old son is down almost 35 pounds. They are bored enough to come for walks or a bike ride several days per week.
  • playhardkf2017
    playhardkf2017 Posts: 875 Member
    From a personal perspective it has helped me lose those last pounds that had a tendency to fluctuate. I’m now down to almost my lowest weight from 3 years ago and feel so much better in my own body.
  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    kristingjertsen wrote: »
    The shut down has actually been a good thing for my formerly obese teenage son. He had to stop eating fast food and restaurant meals and we broke the pattern of eating as part of an experience (Big cup of coke and bucket of popcorn at the movie theater, no quick drive through dinners, family meals at home are the norm). He has dropped 35 pounds and has been able to wear clothing that didn't fit when we went on lockdown in March. His acne has also improved. He is happy with the changes and hopes to keep it up when this is finally over. Right now most of his exercise is playing virtual reality games with his brother online. They work up a sweat playing for 45 minutes to an hour. I am encouraging him to walk and bike with me, and maybe do some of the YouTube exercise videos as well. I am using this time to eat well, get daily exercise, and work towards the goal of losing 30 pounds by my 56th birthday in January 2021.

    This is awesome. Big congrats to your son, and please keep up the family routine.
  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    cassasorusrex619 wrote: »
    I'm probably an exception because of other factors, but my activity and eating has improved since the pandemic. I walk with my kids everyday where I wasn't before. I eat all home prepared meals where I was eating out bad stuff A TON before.

    This crisis has certainly brought people back to the "good old days". When I first joined MFP I was shocked to read some people's diaries and see that every meal had a restaurant brand next to it.

    I eat all my meals at home. Fast food restaurants for the occasional convenience, and the number of times I've been to a restaurant with table service can be counted on the fingers of one hand in all my 54 years.
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    For those of us that have or have had stress eating issues these times can be a challenge. Realizing that one may be dead in the next 30-90 days can lead to some soul searching. Showing love to my family is easier knowing one may get sick and die in short order. Losing one's ability to retire with the planned income can be stressful for most of us. Wondering what kind of world we are leaving the kids and grand kids can be a stress factor. Regaining some weight but knowing why and what to do about it helps with that issue.

    The lack of any settled medical facts concerning COVID-19 has been stressful to me but now that we are starting to see the number of cases can go crazy for about 45 days then the numbers start to reverse. As millions of people are coming out of lock down there will be new break outs at first but nothing like the initial load of cases based on reports out of Asia.

    Getting outside doing work with the tractors in the fresh air and no mask being needed helps lower my stress. I know many have difficulty breathing well when wearing a mask but I keep some in the vehicles for like doctor visits and shopping. I think that is important to lower stress since most of us that get COVID-19 never know it and will be spreaders if not careful.

    I think more cases of type 2 diabetics are aware it is a factor in about 25% of COVID-19 deaths will lead to more understanding the causes that can lead to that health risk.

    Eating out, eating at the movies and at office and church pot luck dinners is now a double concern both health and retirement funds wise.

    While I may have not impact on what nations do going forward I am paying more attention to how and where I spend our smaller retirement funds. I think the net impact of this virus is going to make the kids wake up and understand if they want a better future it is going to be up to them because the baby boomers dumped on them in many ways due to our failure to lead by a good example when it comes to how to eat and to save for the next pandemic.
  • Jaxsgma
    Jaxsgma Posts: 55 Member
    corinasue1143 wrote: »
    You just described me. Only exercise I’m getting is climbing the walls.

    Same here, climbing the walls is my only exercise right now. Now that they are opening things, I will be walking more and doing what ever exercise I can. :D

  • Jaxsgma
    Jaxsgma Posts: 55 Member
    snickerscharlie wrote: »
    I think it's a manner of the lesser of two evils right now.

    People who are already into health and fitness will, for the most part, continue to find ways to stay active and not overeat.

    Those who are not will likely end up gaining weight due to being a lot more sedentary, thereby attracting the negative consequences increased body weight brings.

    But keeping people as safe as possible from COVID has to be the main priority right now. I guess the world will have to deal with the fallout of a population forced to be more sedentary at some point down the road. But honestly, right now, we've all got bigger fish to air fry. ;)

    I agree, keeping people as safe as possible from COVID has to be the main priority right now.
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