Pandemic Weight Gain? 5 Tips to Lose the “COVID 19”
If you’ve packed on a few pounds since the start of the COVID-19 epidemic, you aren’t alone. According to the American Psychological Association’s annual Stress in America report, more than 40% of survey respondents said they had experienced undesirable and unintended weight gain since the start of COVID-19. It’s easy to understand why; routines were disrupted, stress increased, and people were more concerned with staying healthy than looking good.
But as the world opens back up and people start to move on from the past 18 months, it’s normal to desire a figure that matches how good you feel on the inside. And if weight gain has made you feel less like yourself, losing a few pounds can help restore the energy, vitality, and vibrancy that you may have lost since the beginning of the epidemic.
Want to get started? These tips will help you get on the road to looking and feeling better.
Make Moderate (but Meaningful) Lifestyle Changes
Losing weight is as much about having the right mindset as it is about exercising and eating healthier. Some people make the mistake of setting out on a weight loss journey with unsustainable routines and drastic lifestyle changes. It’s understandable to be excited and anxious at the beginning of a weight loss journey, but it’s better to start slow and build up momentum over time instead of getting frustrated and burnt out before you start to really see the results.
Some moderate lifestyle changes that you can incorporate into your routine include going on short walks every day, drinking more water, and eating fewer processed foods. Like the eponymous tortoise in the famous Aesop fable, slow and steady wins the weight-loss race.
Focus on Feeling Better First, and Looking Better Second
When you are starting out on a weight loss journey, it’s better to focus less on the numbers and more on how you feel. As you incorporate more and more lifestyle changes (and stick to them) you will naturally start to feel the effects, even before you start to see them. You may begin to sleep better, inflammation and joint pain may decrease, your energy levels may go up–these kinds of feelings are proof that what you are doing is working, and focusing on them instead of the number on a scale will help you stay motivated and committed to the road ahead.
Cut Out the “Easy” Calories
One of the proven ways to lose weight is to reduce the number of calories you consume. Although there can be mitigating factors that might complicate this equation for some people, cutting calories is a good strategy to begin with, and one of the best ways to start is by cutting out the “easy” calories where you can. For example, soda and alcohol contain a lot of calories that can add up fast throughout the day. Cutting out fast food, unhealthy snacks, and most “comfort” food can also help lower your daily caloric intake to help with weight loss.
Of course, simple caloric reduction doesn’t work for all people in all cases. Depending on your age, health, and other underlying factors, counting calories may have little effect on weight loss. If this is the case, a medically supervised weight loss program may be the best option.
Make a Schedule — and — Stick to It
Whatever kind of diet you try, whatever the exercise routine or physical activity, the most important thing is to make a plan and stick to it. Just as people talked about the “new normal” during the epidemic, you need to create a new normal in your personal life that helps you stay on the right path and make the right decisions for your health to reach your weight loss goals. The more you can plan ahead, the fewer surprises you’ll face and the less likely you are to stray from your diet or exercise routine.
Start a Customized Medical Weight Loss Program
If you don’t know where to start on your weight loss journey, or if you want to speed things up, you may be interested in a medical weight loss program. As the name implies, a medically supervised weight loss program is aided by medical professionals (physicians, nurse practitioners, dieticians, etc.) who make recommendations based on your age, physical health, medical history, and other factors that may influence your weight loss success.
In addition to medical supervision and accountability, medical weight loss programs may also incorporate prescription appetite suppressants, hormone replacement therapies, and supplements to compliment diet and exercise.
The Best Medical Weight Loss in Scottsdale and Mesa
Ready to say goodbye to the “COVID 19” for good? New Results Medical Weight Loss can help. Our success comes from the fact that our weight loss protocols are medically sound and individualized to each person. Since 2009, New Results Medical Weight Loss has helped thousands of men and women in the Valley look and feel their best, and we can help you, too.
Explore our medical weight loss programs or contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our weight loss experts.