Oh, Those Quarantine 15
By now I’m sure you’ve heard about the dreaded quarantine 15.
If you haven’t heard, it’s essentially the freshman 15, except these pounds are adding on while we’re self isolating at home. My roommate mentioned it while we were in New York, but now it seems to be a reality.
Why wouldn’t it be? Gyms are closed, it’s easier to snack mindlessly at home and we’re more stressed. People are joking about how much weight they’re going to gain with all the eating out they’re doing.
It’s a real possibility and yet people are obsessing over it including me.
I have so much kitchen equipment and so much room to use it in that I’ve been baking so much. We cook at home, but sometimes we’re all tired of cooking and would much rather order out. Orlando and I are worried about our financial situation, though there are those worse off than us. Other members of our family might be losing their income. The numbers are plateauing, but as some states are already opening up, those numbers can shoot up again. It’s a lot to deal with.
We’re all trying our best. Our bodies are used to a certain lifestyle and we’re changing it up on them and now they have to adjust.
I’m saying this for you, but also for me.
It’s easy to stay in pajamas or sweats all day and on a day you actually feel like putting effort into your outfit, you may find your clothes fit you more snug. That’s okay.
This pandemic is traumatic. Our bodies are dealing with that trauma. We need to cope the best way we can.
We’re stressed. Stress is associated with the release of cortisol and cortisol can lead to weight gain and it can also determine where the fat associated with that weight gain ends up.
We also might not be sleeping as well as we’re used to. This can also lead to weight gain. What I’m trying to say is you can be doing everything “right” and you can still gain weight.
Enjoy those comfort foods. Bake all you want. This pandemic won’t last forever.
Try to move your body.
I have worked out almost every day since we got back from London. I’ve been doing it because I genuinely enjoy it. I’m getting stronger and I want to keep that strength in my muscles.
People hear the word exercise and immediately shut off at the idea, but exercising is any form of physical activity. The worst thing we can do for ourselves is be sedentary all day. Five minutes of movement is better than no movement at all. Do what you enjoy doing!
Dance. Lift weights. Do yoga. Do an intense cardio workout. Go on a walk. Run. This won’t necessarily prevent you from gaining weight, but it’ll keep you healthy.
Don’t feel pressured to work out, though.
Some of us never had time to rest before the pandemic so it’s okay to just rest as well.
I will continue to say: use this time how you see fit. If you want to binge watch all the tv shows on your watch list then do it. If you just want to read all day then do it. If you want to write a book then do it. Use this time how you want to.
Don’t let anyone tell you that you are wasting your time. You know how to take care of yourself best.
I’ll admit that those pesky quarantine 15 have been in the back of my mind.
Eat healthy food, but eat that chocolate chip cookie if you want to. Try to move your body at least a little as that goes a long way, but ultimately if you don’t want to then catch up on sleep or whatever else you need to.
You’re not alone in how you’re feeling. Heck, as much as I’ve been worrying about the quarantine fifteen, I’m also baking scones later, because baking is fun for me.
I’m here if you need anything.
Lluvia
If you haven’t heard, it’s essentially the freshman 15, except these pounds are adding on while we’re self isolating at home. My roommate mentioned it while we were in New York, but now it seems to be a reality.
Why wouldn’t it be? Gyms are closed, it’s easier to snack mindlessly at home and we’re more stressed. People are joking about how much weight they’re going to gain with all the eating out they’re doing.
It’s a real possibility and yet people are obsessing over it including me.
I have so much kitchen equipment and so much room to use it in that I’ve been baking so much. We cook at home, but sometimes we’re all tired of cooking and would much rather order out. Orlando and I are worried about our financial situation, though there are those worse off than us. Other members of our family might be losing their income. The numbers are plateauing, but as some states are already opening up, those numbers can shoot up again. It’s a lot to deal with.
We’re all trying our best. Our bodies are used to a certain lifestyle and we’re changing it up on them and now they have to adjust.
I’m saying this for you, but also for me.
It’s easy to stay in pajamas or sweats all day and on a day you actually feel like putting effort into your outfit, you may find your clothes fit you more snug. That’s okay.
This pandemic is traumatic. Our bodies are dealing with that trauma. We need to cope the best way we can.
We’re stressed. Stress is associated with the release of cortisol and cortisol can lead to weight gain and it can also determine where the fat associated with that weight gain ends up.
We also might not be sleeping as well as we’re used to. This can also lead to weight gain. What I’m trying to say is you can be doing everything “right” and you can still gain weight.
Enjoy those comfort foods. Bake all you want. This pandemic won’t last forever.
Try to move your body.
I have worked out almost every day since we got back from London. I’ve been doing it because I genuinely enjoy it. I’m getting stronger and I want to keep that strength in my muscles.
People hear the word exercise and immediately shut off at the idea, but exercising is any form of physical activity. The worst thing we can do for ourselves is be sedentary all day. Five minutes of movement is better than no movement at all. Do what you enjoy doing!
Dance. Lift weights. Do yoga. Do an intense cardio workout. Go on a walk. Run. This won’t necessarily prevent you from gaining weight, but it’ll keep you healthy.
Don’t feel pressured to work out, though.
Some of us never had time to rest before the pandemic so it’s okay to just rest as well.
I will continue to say: use this time how you see fit. If you want to binge watch all the tv shows on your watch list then do it. If you just want to read all day then do it. If you want to write a book then do it. Use this time how you want to.
Don’t let anyone tell you that you are wasting your time. You know how to take care of yourself best.
I’ll admit that those pesky quarantine 15 have been in the back of my mind.
Eat healthy food, but eat that chocolate chip cookie if you want to. Try to move your body at least a little as that goes a long way, but ultimately if you don’t want to then catch up on sleep or whatever else you need to.
You’re not alone in how you’re feeling. Heck, as much as I’ve been worrying about the quarantine fifteen, I’m also baking scones later, because baking is fun for me.
I’m here if you need anything.
Lluvia
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