How does Covid-19 affect Obesity epidemic?

An observation. On MFP January is normally the month for "newbies". I'm seeing a flood of introduction posts. I wonder if the virus scare will be a wake-up call for many.

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.

lemurcat2 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)

Kitten you? The overall tone of this seems surprisingly hostile toward all the other posters in the thread.

Sorry you feel that way. It is hard to gage tone etc though so it might be worth bearing that in mind when reading people's responses. All meant with good intent 🙂

Have a nice day.

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 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.

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

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 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.

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

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.

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.

cassasorusrex619 wrote: »

I'm probably an exception because of other factors, but my activity and eating has improved since the pandemic.

Same.