So I’ve Gained the Covid 19 (pounds)- Now What Do I Do?

The most common complaint I’ve been getting lately is this- “I’ve gained a ton of weight since this pandemic started.”  Many of us went from working full time to working in our PJ’s at home.  Everything has been closed including the gym.  Fourth of July celebrations and the Rodeo were cancelled. Weddings, graduations, kids’ sports activities and summer vacations were are cancelled.  After being told not to mingle with family or friends and just stay home to be safe, it’s easy to find yourself 19 pounds heavier.  Here are some simple tips on what you can do to lose some of those pandemic pounds while regaining your mental and physical health. 
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1. Rule #1: No Snacking at all.  Snacking throughout the day causes continuous insulin release.  This tells your muscle and fat cells to store all the fat and sugar you eat.  This is how you gain weight.  Also, more frequent insulin release leads to insulin resistance because your cells stop responding to the insulin produced.  I always tell patients to stick to only 2 to 3 meals a day and no more than that while drinking only water in between.  This is the reason that fasting diets are so successful- they take advantage of decreased insulin release throughout the day, and this is how they contribute to weight loss.
2. Rule #2: Stay Away from Processed Foods.  Anything that can survive in your refrigerator for more than 2 weeks is likely processed.  Again, the emphasis is on refrigerator.  Most things in your pantry other than dried spices are processed.  Most processed foods are high in sugar, salt, and artificial everything.  These foods were made in a laboratory somewhere and have an excessive amount of sugar, salt and flavor enhancers to encourage constant cravings.  They are very calorie dense and nutrient poor.  Start looking at nutrition labels on food and if you see things like MSG, natural flavoring, disodium guanylate, yeast extract, hydrolyzed protein, autolyzed yeast, aspartame, and other long chemical names that you can’t pronounce-don’t buy it or consume it.  This is not real food.  These are mostly chemicals manufactured in a laboratory that are high in calories and artificial flavors and packaged and then sold in a grocery store near you.
3. Rule #3: Try to Cook Your Own Meals.  This will help you stay away from processed foods and allow you to have control over how much sugar and salt you consume.  I know this is time consuming, but this is the only way to have control over your overall nutritional health, and while there are limited social options, now is a good time to learn a new skill that may even become a hobby.  It will also save you lots of money. 
4. Rule #4: Be wary of excessively fatty foods and diet fads.  Diets like the Atkins diet are popular because they allow you to eat fatty foods like bacon and butter.  The idea is that you can eat really yummy fatty foods and as long as you restrict carbs you will trick your body into seeking energy in stored fat.  This sounds awesome in theory- you can eat fatty foods and lose weight.  While patients do lose weight initially, most are unable to maintain such a low carb diet for long.  In addition, eating a lot of fat puts a lot of oxidative stress on your body and is what contributes to metabolic syndrome and other chronic diseases of obesity.  Believe it or not, Dr. Atkins died obese and likely of heart disease.
5. Rule #5: Get outside and get active.  Go for a walk, run, hike, bike ride whatever, but you need to get out of the house.  Studies are beginning to suggest that most contracted the coronavirus at home.  Enjoy the fresh air and get some Vitamin D.  While exercise and activity does not contribute to weight loss as much as dietary changes, it helps maintain weight loss and is overall good for your physical as well as mental health.  Also, especially important right now, is the fact that exercise helps boost your immune system.

Hopefully this helps!  Don’t let the 'Rona get you down.  Eat health and enjoy the outdoors!
 
Dr. Pam