How To Lose The “Quarantine 15”
On track to a healthier lifestyle
The pandemic was an unforeseen event that has taken a toll on everyone; our jobs, our families, and our daily habits were all affected by this global shift. Amongst the many consequences that came as a result of this pandemic, a commonality that’s affecting adults throughout America is the addition of the extra pounds which have accumulated over the past year and a half.
An increase in the amount of time that we spend in our homes, a decrease in socializing with the outside world, and our habitual patterns of using food and binge-watching as a cure for our boredom have all led to some of us gaining a few, or more than a few, extra pounds. Returning to the real world, or the “new normal” can be challenging enough without adding self-consciousness and unhealthy habits to the mix. Here are some tips on how to lose that extra pudge, or that “Quarantine 15”, that you may now find yourself carrying around.
First things first
You need to be in the right mindset. You must make the decision that you’re ready for a change and be willing to put in the work. Create a plan and set goals for yourself. Decide on some healthy yet desirable rewards that you will indulge in when achieving certain milestones. Once you’ve set your intentions, it’s time to act on them.
Get rid of temptation
Now that you’ve set your goals, it’s time to execute. Throw away all the junk food in your house, go to the grocery store, and replace all your junk food with fruits, vegetables, and lean meat. Put together a meal plan and figure out how much fuel your body needs to function at a high performance. Many people have the misconception that losing weight is solely about working out. Although exercise is a major part of losing weight and getting into shape, a healthy balance of eating the proper nutrition must also be utilized in order to see your desired results.
It’s Time To Get Moving
Once you’ve restocked your kitchen, it’s now time to take action. Daily exercise for around 35–45 minutes will put you in the game. Although you do want to push yourself, you also want to make sure that you aren’t jumping in too quickly or exceeding your limits. This will lead to future discouragement when it comes to continuing on with your fitness journey. Not only will switching up your workout routines regularly keep them fun, but it also prevents muscle fatigue from overuse. Find a workout partner to help keep you motivated and to help hold you accountable.
Measure Your Progress
Be sure to keep track of your progress and get an understanding of what works best for you. If you fail to see results after sticking to a consistent routine, try speaking with your doctor or a nutritionist about some alternatives that you can try. They’ll assist you with deciding on dietary and other lifestyle changes that align with your goals and capabilities. Be sure to only include actions that you intend to stick to, as setting unrealistic goals will often lead to burnout, discouragement, and ultimately, failure.
Accountability, discipline, hard work, and tenacity are all tools that you’ll need on your journey to success. They are the vital life skills that you need to adopt in order to bring about change in your body and in your life. Turning bad habits into healthy habits are the key to losing that “Quarantine 15”. I already believe in you, now it’s time for you to believe in yourself and make some life changes!
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