We’ve all likely heard of the Freshman 10, the iconic 10 to 15 pounds students are said to gain after going to college as a freshman. The new spin on this theory is now the Quarantine 10. This phrase was coined after our nation was first struck with the COVID-19 virus.
The nightmare started at the beginning of 2020 when we all first heard the buzzword “COVID.” Today, we’re all still grappling with this virus and its repercussions. At one point, we were forced to shut down the entire nation with no choice but to stay in our homes with little to do. The pandemic has affected our jobs, lives, and most importantly, our health.
Weight gain can wreak havoc on our bodies and mental stability. In addition, it hurts our pockets as we’ll likely find ourselves in shaky health situations. Life insurance for overweight individuals skyrockets for preexisting conditions, and our medical bills can stack on top of each other. Don’t be a victim of weight gain. Let’s take back charge of our lives and health.
Quarantining: How Staying Home Caused Your Weight Gain
There are many factors to packing on weight, and it’s no surprise that many Americans suffered from the Quarantine 10 in 2020. Stress, anxiety, and depression are among the top culprits for seeing changes on the scale. Gyms being closed, working from home, inability to shut down, and limited access to fresh foods can all add to the Quarantine 10.
We have faced many challenges and obstacles unique to anything our parents or even earlier generations have faced as a nation. Societal pressures for men and women are ultimately higher than in the past, and to add another layer of uncertainty and tension to the mix, has us all anxious.
We are all trying to keep our family sane during our quarantine. Still, the stress of juggling tiny humans, schooling, work, household chores, and relationships while staying put under one roof causes an immense amount of strain and slipups with our well-being.
Top 5 Causes of Weight Gain During Your Quarantine
- Mental health – Amongst the top complaints coming out of this pandemic is the unexplainable strains it has put on our ability to stay positive and level-headed. As adults, we have faced many complex situations that no one has ever faced in the modern age.
- Academic stress – Whether for your child or yourself, schooling has taken on a whole new process for many of us. We are now juggling working from home and having daily lesson plans to teach our pupils, otherwise known as our children. College courses and studying have become harder to complete with constant distractions.
- Gym closures – Lifting weights and sweating it out with gym mates were a thing of the past for quite some time. Although many facilities are now open, many individuals have fallen off of the fitness train or don’t feel comfortable going back into the gym they once frequented.
- Limited resources – Supply and demand have been a struggle since the beginning of the pandemic. Grocery stores and big-box companies find it hard to keep up with the public’s food demands. Also, the unemployment rate is high, making it harder to keep shelves stocked and ready for shopping.
- Boredom – What do you usually do when you’re binge-watching a show or simply have nothing productive to do with your time? More often than not, you likely eat and make poor eating choices that can affect your waistband.
How to Combat Your Quarantine Weight Gain
- Taking control of your positive mind and soul will completely change your outlook should you need to quarantine. Practicing meditation, positive affirmations, and yoga all help with feeling more grounded and relaxed. Also, make it a habit to tell yourself what you are thankful for each day to give yourself perspective and grace.
- Find a small space dedicated to different tasks for each role you play right now. If you’re going to school, find a space for schoolwork. If you’re teaching your child through virtual school, find the space to complement their studies. Finding these spaces separates these areas of life and allows you to shut down at the end of the day.
- At home, workouts are all the craze right now. A fun and creative mixture of strength training and cardio exercises in the comfort of your own home can start shedding your extra weight. Dedicating two to three half-hour sessions a week can be beneficial to your health and mind.
- Food choices play a significant role in our waist size. Start sourcing out local farms or markets to give your plate some color with fresh fruits and vegetables. Home-cooked meals are much more common in our homes these days too. Grab your family a few weight loss cookbooks that you can dive into together and cook some wholesome meals.
- Now is the time to start digging deep and figuring out some new hobbies that give you joy and purpose should you have any spare time left at the end of a long day. Sitting around on the couch without meaning can lead to bad eating and drinking decisions, which will likely show on the scale.
Say Buh-Bye to Your Extra Quarantine Baggage
We were all victims of the late-night binging, and social media drink challenges, but it’s time to get our life and body back. How can we cope and reposition ourselves now that life is somewhat getting back to normal?
Making wiser choices for not only ourselves but our families is of the utmost importance moving forward. Being conscious of our time and keeping our personal lives together is much more complex than just two short years ago, but we can take control back.
It is essential to have realistic and grounded weight loss expectations, especially since many weight loss programs fail due to unrealistic expectations and overly restrictive rules.
Lead a more fulfilled pandemic life; plan out your days, eat healthier, get your body moving, and give yourself joy and grace. Before you know it, you’ll feel even better than you did before we all heard of COVID. Hopefully, this article gave you some good food for thought and bold ideas to get your body and mind back on track.
Carla Hughes writes and researches for the life insurance comparison site, EffortlessInsurance.com. Carla has been an avid wellness advocate both for herself and her family for many years.
