When you hear the words Covid 19, what first comes to mind? For many, the pandemic forced us to slow down. I don’t think we will ever forget those initial weeks & months when the world . So many emotions swirling about during this time of uncertainty. Fear, isolation, depression, anxiety, OCD, and the list goes on. For some, Covid provided a break from the constant 24/7 go, go, go that we were all used to. For the first time, people were forced to unplug and simply be. We found ourselves faced with the opportunity to reconnect with our immediate family, whether we liked it or not! After a few months, many of us began to go stir crazy. Even the more introverted person realized self isolation is not as alluring as once perceived. And let’s not forget the social butterflies who were forced to stay in their little cocoon. This routine became old quite quickly! As we began to follow our new "normal," and for many of us adapt to our “new home office,” we found that our stress level, eating patterns, and alcohol intake significantly changed, opening the door for easy weight gain. As we became accustomed to our new schedule and stress, alcohol became a common coping mechanism. There was at least a 20% increase in alcohol consumption during COVID! As much as alcohol can calm your nerves, help you to unwind and relax, it can also increase your calorie intake and decrease inhibitions to make good food choices.
Since alcohol has 7 calories per gram--the more you drink the more calories you consume. Serving sizes 1 oz or 1 serving of spirits = 1 shot glass 105 calories + regular soda or juice ~ 42 calories ~150 calories (1 oz spirts + 4 oz soda or juice) 4 oz serving wine = 100 calories It’s very easy to over consume & drink 6 oz- 8 oz! Glasses with ounce (oz) marks can help us be mindful of the quantity. These extra even 100-200 plus calories or more per resulted in a slow and steady weight gain in many during the pandemic. Many of us who were sheltering and stuck at home had accessibility to food all the time. Pop quiz: What is one of the contributing factors to weight gain after 1980? The answer is larger homes. As homes (and kitchens) started becoming bigger, we had more cupboard space to fill our homes with snack food. When we're home 24/7, our kitchen is always a hop, skip, & jump away! It’s a lot easier to go back for seconds when you’re eating your meals at home, even if it is only a sliver here or there or an extra BLT (bite, lick, or taste). Those LITTLE extras really add up. As a result, we gain weight.
Eating disorders, including binge eating disorders have skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic. Oftentimes, this has little or nothing to do with food & so much to do with control (or lack thereof). The 3rd challenge involves the calories in versus calories out equation (which looks easy on paper, but not so easy in real life). In the winter months, it is typical for many to gain 3-5 lbs. It is difficult to mimic the activity you do the other 6-9 months out of the year in warmer weather months. As people begin to emerge from the pandemic, many are now faced with these unwanted “pandemic pounds” and struggling to return to their pre-pandemic bodies.
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