Losing Quarantine Weight!

[MugglesnDaleks 9]

Did you guys gain weight during quarantine? If so, what are you doing to lose it?

Pre-quarantine my weight was at 153 lbs. I was at the weight for about a year and was having a really hard time bringing it down! During the 6 months of quarantine, I gained about 7 lbs since the gyms were closed and I'm really bad at working out from home.

Since I was already having a hard time dropping from 153 lbs, I'm afraid I'm going to get stuck at 160 lbs. I know it doesn't sound so bad, but I am 5'1 so the extra 7 lbs really show! When I gain weight, it's evident in my arms and my chest area, so although my jeans fit just fine, my Medium shirts are too tight!!!

[catwoman7 10,843]

I didn't gain any, but I think what saved my butt is that I bought a used bike back in May (since I wasn't able to go to the gym anymore) and have been biking 4-5 days a week. Otherwise, I'm sure I would have gained a few pounds.

I'm going to have to do something once it gets too cold to bike, though. Probably cut a couple hundred calories a day, which I'm going to hate, but...not sure what else I can do with limited exercise options.

[jfc193 718]

I normally gain during November and December and then take the next few months losing the weight.

This year I had to work from home and by the middle of May had gained 7 lbs from the holidays and then an additional 10 lbs from March to the Middle of May.

As of today I have lost the 17 lbs. Part of my insurance program is they have an app where I weigh in every day and give you suggestions on losing weight. You also have to take picture of your meals and submit on the app. As a result of having someone to be accountable to has kept me somewhat in line.

The main weight gaining opportunity is unhealthy snacking. So this been curtailed as well.

[GreenTealael 24,847]

27 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

I didn't gain any, but I think what saved my butt is that I bought a used bike back in May (since I wasn't able to go to the gym anymore) and have been biking 4-5 days a week. Otherwise, I'm sure I would have gained a few pounds.

I'm going to have to do something once it gets too cold to bike, though. Probably cut a couple hundred calories a day, which I'm going to hate, but...not sure what else I can do with limited exercise options.

https://www.amazon.com/BestMassage-Trainer-Trainers-Magnetic-Resistance/dp/B07KG4C5XF/ref=mp_s_a_1_45?dchild=1&keywords=turn+bicycle+into+a+stationary+bike&qid=1602174813&sr=8-45

[GreenTealael 24,847]

My weight tends to normally fluctuate +/- 5-10 lbs. I usually have to regiment myself by eating boring foods (protein 🤣) if I'm up and party foods if I'm down.

One thing I have not done/will not do is try to out exercise my fun food phase, I just cut down on them since I know they are the culprit.

But also lots of people have gained from stress, and this time has been very stressful.

Good Luck ♥️

[catwoman7 10,843]

14 minutes ago, GreenTealael said:

https://www.amazon.com/BestMassage-Trainer-Trainers-Magnetic-Resistance/dp/B07KG4C5XF/ref=mp_s_a_1_45?dchild=1&keywords=turn+bicycle+into+a+stationary+bike&qid=1602174813&sr=8-45

oh wow - thanks!!!

[GreenTealael 24,847]

6 minutes ago, catwoman7 said:

oh wow - thanks!!!

There are less expensive versions but I couldn't link them for some reason

[Arabesque 6,420]

I didn’t gain any weight during our shut down & even though things are pretty much back to usual here, my work hasn’t reopened yet (so I’ve been at home since March). I’m not a gym person but I have a treadmill - not that I use it often Lol. I’ve just been very routine in what I eat & when I eat. The routine makes me feel in control which can be soothing in stressful times. Plus I didn’t buy any ‘treat’ foods so I couldn’t be tempted to eat them. Yep, I’ve been pretty strict & I admit it is easier to do because I live alone but I know my weaknesses. Go back to your pre covid diet. Take it day by day. Find ways to be active like go for a walk, use stairs, etc.

You’ll get back on track. You can do this.

[MugglesnDaleks 9]

10 hours ago, Arabesque said:

I didn’t gain any weight during our shut down & even though things are pretty much back to usual here, my work hasn’t reopened yet (so I’ve been at home since March). I’m not a gym person but I have a treadmill - not that I use it often Lol. I’ve just been very routine in what I eat & when I eat. The routine makes me feel in control which can be soothing in stressful times. Plus I didn’t buy any ‘treat’ foods so I couldn’t be tempted to eat them. Yep, I’ve been pretty strict & I admit it is easier to do because I live alone but I know my weaknesses. Go back to your pre covid diet. Take it day by day. Find ways to be active like go for a walk, use stairs, etc.

You’ll get back on track. You can do this.

Thank you!

I'm trying to get back to my pre-covid food habits. My siblings are attending college from home so the pantry is full on unhealthy Snacks 🤢 and I find it hard not to give in sometimes. I think I'm gonna have to give in and buy my own snacks from the bariaticpal store to sooth the cravings 😭

[AZhiker 2,251]

At the beginning of COVID, I got sick with a respiratory/shortness of breath/fatigue/fever problem. Thought for sure it was COVID, but two antibody tests have been negative. Anyway, it knocked the socks off me for a couple of months, actually, and I dropped off my exercise. Until then I was doing a lot of things, including 60 flights of stair a day, weights, walking, biking, and swimming. Needless to say, I gained about 7 pounds.

But I am happy to report that today I got back to my goal weight and I am sooooo happy about that. I have been increasing my exercise a bit, now with cooler weather (still 95, but feels heavenly after 115!) , and have monitored my carbs and nuts a bit closer. I am still doing IF, which I think is a great tool. And I have found that exercising in a fasting state not only makes me feel better DURING the exercise, but great afterwards, too. I did a 20 mile bike ride the other day in a fasting state and it was one of the best rides I have ever had. Maybe it's ketosis euphoria, but it sure felt good and like I could have gone another 20.

The longer I get out from surgery, the more "normal" my eating becomes, and I am gradually learning what I have to do to feel strong, maintain the weight, and not get stressed out over it. The key with weight gain is to nip it in the bud. Don't let it get to 10 pounds - drop it dead in its tracks before it gets that far down the road. Regain does not happen overnight. It actually comes on gradually unless you just stop weighing yourself, start pigging out on unhealthy food, and just go into denial about the whole thing. I used to have nightmares about waking up and finding myself having regained all my weight. AAGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! But it doesn't happen that way. Weighing daily, and jumping back on track when only a few pounds up is the way to keep it off for good, I am convinced. I don't stress about it any more, because I know this is actually do-able! I will have to keep watching carefully as I move toward the 2 and 3 year marks. Hang in there, everyone. Knock it out of the park! Keep with your plans, get your exercise in, and enjoy your new lives!!!!!

[Stella S 612]

I run and walk. I miss elliptical and gym time but just not ready.

[ms.sss 14,617]

I gained 6 lbs January to end of March (stopped exercising regularly, tracking my food, weighing myself daily, and probably ate more, but I don't know since I wasn't tracking!!). I went back to my routine and lost those 6 lbs in 3-4 weeks in April, while we were in lock down.

But then 4-5 of those effing lbs came back again between May to August (dessert & alcohol consumption increase) and it took me almost 2 months to lose them again. Which was a wake up call about how my super weight-loss powers have diminished.

Moral of the story is if your aim is to maintain a certain weight, do something about it now when it's only a few pounds vs later when its much, much more.

There is no mystery on how to do this: exist in a calorie deficit until you reach your goal. I dropped down to about 1300-1500 cals a day...if I went lower, the weight would have come off faster, but I didn't, so it didn't.

Edited October 21, 2020 by ms.sss

[John 41 1]

I suspected that I could gain some weight during quarantine, that´s why I decided to buy an indoor bike. I bought a mid-priced one because, even though I'm a beginner, I have in mind to take advantage of this motivation and reach a somewhat more demanding level. And I have to say that it was a good decision. It doesn´t take up too much space at home and is a very comfortable way to stay healthy and not risk gaining weight. And I can exercise no matter what the weather is outside.

[waterwoman 172]

I gained about 14 pounds and am having really tough time dropping them. I did start a good exercise regime though so heavier, but maybe healthier. Now to keep up exercise and drop extra pounds.

[danahall5885 21]

I gained 23 pounds from March to July during the quarantine. I’ve lost 14 of it so far. A lot harder to lose than gain!