I know that I have been comfort eating in lockdown. Relying on little sugary treats to try and lift my spirits. I am not much of a drinker, but I love eating cake a bit TOO much! I have not stepped on my weighing scales, I think I am too scared too. However, the fact that my skinny jeans had to be quickly replaced by more forgiving leggings is enough of a clue that my waistline has expanded! Regardless, I think its important not to panic about lockdown weight gain, we have all had a lot to deal with!

Today I have cheered myself up with too many M&S chocolate & orange mini bites (they are so heavenly!). Plus, a couple of M&S apple hot cross buns generously covered in butter. But there is no point giving myself a hard time. After all I am not alone. Apparently 48% of people surveyed said they thought they had put weight on during lockdown. So, we are in good company. I find home schooling is exhausting whilst juggling the house and my blog, so I keep telling myself I need the quick energy! I just grab for the wrong things.

Even though I think it is important not to let your weight add to your worries in these difficult times. There are some things you can do to help instead. I thought it was high time I started making some changes to tackle my lockdown weight gain.

Set Yourself Realistic Targets

Everyday I wake up and say today I won’t eat any cake. But by the end of the day I feel a complete failure as I never quite manage it. I think it would be more realistic if I just focused on trying to eat more fruit and vegetables each day, swapping to wholemeal bread and pasta or fitting in more steps to burn off the calories. More realistic targets would put me on the right path! Otherwise I feel deflated from one day to the next and think why even bother trying!

Block the Fat!

Something different you might want to consider is buying weight loss tablets like Orlistat which block one third of the fat you digest! I think that is quite clever. However I have never taken weight loss tablets myself but in principle they sound ingenious. I think if you are really struggling, they might be worth trying. Rather than fat being absorbed into your body you pass it out instead! So, you literally can have your cake and eat it, minus the guilt!!!

Although please don’t use weight loss tablets and then think you can get away without exercising. Oxford Online Pharmacy state quite clearly you still need to get in a good few hour’s activity a week and stick to a healthy balanced diet.

Work With What You Have

With gyms and swimming pools closed your traditional means of exercising might be off limits. But instead look at other things you can do to stay active instead. We have had long bike rides, big walks and even a Joe Wicks workout. Try and tailor your exercise routine around the options you have available and go from there. Don’t just make excuses either because so much is off limits. There is still plenty more you can do! For example there are so many different workouts available online.

Download Useful Resources to Help

There are plenty of useful resources online. I quite like the look of the NHS 12 week weight loss plan which offers ample practical information. I learnt how food portions are much bigger today than they were 30 years ago. Also the importance of pacing yourself when eating, it takes your brain 20 minutes to realize you are full, otherwise you risk overeating.  You can also print off the food and activity chart to keep track on your progress.

Although I think a part of me wishes I had started that 12 week plan when lockdown began. Then I would be coming out of lockdown all slim and healthy! But remember it’s never too late to improve your health and start making better lifestyle choices. Tomorrow a fruit salad will be featuring!