Struggling with weight and energy while in lockdown!

I'm having a really hard time. I hadn't been watching my weight for a while, but past few days I've been counting my calories as to try get back on track to losing weight. I'm going from the recommended 1300 to 1500 calories. It's a real struggle being held indoors like we are, and where I live in Ireland, you can only travel within 2km, and theirs not many places to go without running into another person (which is a stressful thing right now).

I suffer with severe anxiety and depression, so this lockdown and trying to work on losing weight has become difficult to say the least. Everyday, I have zero energy, my body is aching all over and feel like I just want to sleep all day, and not do anything, which I know is partly due to my depression. I'm just struggling deeply, because I would like to lose weight, but no physical strength is making it hard, so I'm trying to do the counting calories, but somedays I can do 1300, but others I end up going over by 100-200 calories to maybe 1500 calories. I know it means slow weight loss, but I don't mind that, even if its just half a pound a week or a pound at most, I'm okay, just as long as it starts going down.

I'm 11st 13lbs at the moment, I've put on about 3/4 lbs since the beginning of this year I'd say, and the lockdown is what is making me nervous about trying not to go up in weight. I'm 5ft 5in, and I'm working on a goal of getting to 10st 10lbs, but for now, just losing 5-10lbs would be a start.

I'm also only leaving the house once every 2 weeks for essentials, so I'm stuck at home 24/7, and the wanting to sleep all the time is actually making me more tired and extremely fatigued. I literally only perk up when I eat lol!

Just not sure if I'll be able to lose weight enough without exercising. I'm also Hypothyroid (but am on Eltroxin for it) and have PCOS, so cravings are a hard thing too. Yeah, just a rant, and feeling a bit trapped and exhausted. not sure what to do.

Replies

  • MishiMeeks
    MishiMeeks Posts: 8 Member
    Yea, I think there are a lot of people feeling like this as well. It is not a good feeling at all. Hugs sweetie.

    Thank you! I think its just feeling depressed has me feeling a bit more sorry for myself lol! Thank you! *hugs*
  • MishiMeeks
    MishiMeeks Posts: 8 Member
    Rather than leaving the house, could you do some HIT work out videos at home? Loads of free ones on YouTube. Take it at your pace. Find one that's suitable for your level...
    I'd also recommend some mindfulness. I suffer with anxiety always and depression sometimes, and I've found foing 15 minutes of meditation is helping. I've downloaded an app called 1 giant mind and its lovely.

    There is too much uncertainty at the moment and you can do what you can do. I'm counting calories because I was reaching for the biscuits or wine every time my anxieties were heightening. Now, I'm focusing on eating well and running, I'm lucky that I can run straight from my front door. But dont beat yourself up if you gain a few extra pounds. It'll come off. For now, focus on your mental well being and everything else will fall into place.

    Be safe and look after yourself!! Lots of love xxx

    Hi, sorry for late reply! Yeah, I'm trying to build up my energy levels again by doing morning yoga again, which I use to love, so hopefully that will help my body get use to doing exercise again, and a few stretches in my garden too.

    I'm going to try be a bit more positive, I think its just a bit sorry for myself at the moment, but I'll get back up once I start getting myself a bit more into a routine and eating better too! Thank you! :)
  • MishiMeeks
    MishiMeeks Posts: 8 Member
    TxTiffani wrote: »
    I’ve gained 10lbs during quarantine 🤦🏼‍♀️ Finally back on track and I’ve been finding really low calorie foods so I can eat often throughout the day without blowing my day’s calories too quickly. Cut veggies with Italian dressing, apples sliced thinly or any fruit really dipped in light & fit Greek yogurt, Quaker rice crisps, frozen dark sweet cherries. These are all things I can take many bites of for very few cals. I’m 5’0 with 40lbs to lose so I have to be very mindful of my cals. The fact that I’m logging them and can complete my diary under goal has really been helping my mental state. I feel more accomplished even if it’s the only thing I get right all day.
    Even if you don’t get it together and lose any weight during quarantine, just hang in there and get it going again when things are quite so wonky. It’s a weird time for everyone.❤️

    Sorry for late reply! I've cut down on sauces and dressings too, I think that is something I always overlook. I'm also adding more fruits and veggies too to my dinners and lunches as well, trying to snack on better things and less calories. I just need to watch my chocolate intake lol! Yeah, it feels better knowing I'm not alone, when you hear from others, it eases my mind a bit! Thank you :)
  • MishiMeeks
    MishiMeeks Posts: 8 Member
    rhopar33 wrote: »
    MishiMeeks, I understand how you feel but please keep pushing. I feel the same way some days, but this is what I do to try to keep pushing- when I feel down and depressed I remind myself that this is the best possible time to focus on diet ad eating! Why? 1. We can’t travel or vacation so I don’t have the excuse of messing up my diet because I was vacationing. 2. Social distancing means no meeting friends at restaurants for food and drink. So I look at it as a caterpillar going into its cocoon; the quarantine time is my “transformation” time. I started Jan 30 at 241.5 lbs. Today I am 203.4 lbs. I’ve lost 37 lbs and have 23 lbs ro go to meet my goal of 60 lbs. When the quarantine is lifted I plan to emerge like a butterfly having lost 60 lbs and shocking ALL my friends as they have no idea I’ve been dieting.

    Sorry for such a long delay in replying! Thank you for this, a great way to look at it, I will keep trying, even when I have slip ups, I'll keep trying!
  • MishiMeeks
    MishiMeeks Posts: 8 Member
    jaymijones wrote: »
    I decided early on that I wasn’t going to add weight loss stress on to everything else. I would focus on staying active and not gaining weight, but I wasn’t going to try to juggle reduced calories on top of all the other added stress. I want to let you know it’s okay to put your weight loss on hold for a bit and focus on your mental health. Eat right, moderated junk food and such. Move because it’s good for both your mobility and your mental health. And give yourself permission not to try losing weight right now. Focus on maintaining it.

    For the most part I’ve done great with it, and I have zero doubts that it was the right move at the time. I did notice a sharp incline on my weight a few days ago, 7lbs in a week! I’m pretty sure it’s just a bad case of bloating and will be gone in a day or two. But even still it made me realize it’s time to get back to it. I’m only agreeing to do it now because I finally feel like I’ve found a pretty good routine. My stress levels aren’t as high as they were in the beginning. Cabin fever is still killing me though!

    Hi, again, sorry for such a late reply! Thank you, yeah I'm trying not to get as stressed about it, but it can be quite hard, but I'm not overreating and trying to just keep to a regular routine. Moving more will probably help me too, just very hard when in lockdown to keep continually busy. A lot to do with boredom and frustration too, but I'll give myself a break but not indulge either. Thank you!