“There have been elevenses which – on occasion – have been eaten at 10am and noon, and sometimes 4pm too, because one Tunnocks teacake is never enough is it?”
This is the situation for so many now including Victoria Lambert of The Telegraph. She describes the “Covid19 Diet” of erratic eating brought on by simply being at home during a pandemic. (Excellent article btw).
WARNING: This diet may result in a LOCK-DOWN STONE.
My Facebook post the other day tells me folks are having mixed reactions to our UK isolation …
Some are fitter and healthier – so much extra time – its great!
Others learning to cook from fresh with limited ingredients – yey.
BUT
Many saying they are fatter than they’ve ever been.
Cannot stop eating.
Feeling very low
Mental health is suffering
Maybe bordering on alcoholism.
Stressed, bored, lonely, lacking direction….
This situation is so tough for many of us. Its resulting in, frankly, uncontrolled eating which could have disastrous consequences not just for us, but also our families.
Lambert points out that childhood obesity will result in future problems for that young person. Is that what we all want as yet another unforeseen consequence of this pandemic????
Remember this situation is NOT going away anytime soon.
So –
If you’re in danger of putting on a Lockdown Stone
Or feeling a Virus Slump
Or have a Boredom Bulge already then read on.
Because we can all do these simple things to help ourselves.
Do at least 3 of these, starting now
Do 3 and feel different. Do all of them and the snowball effect will kick in after Day 4.
1. Get exercise daily. Even just 5 mins in the daylight will help low mood.
2. Have “food free windows” in the day. Time when nothing except water passes your lips. Agree with yourself on these … and work on lengthening them until its only 3 meals a day.
3. Avoid alcohol at least 5 days a week. It will damage us.
4. Stop buying the treats. This isn’t Xmas: we are not on holiday. Get a good recipe book and start as you mean to go on from today. We may have months of this left to go.
5. Analyse your triggers for comfort eating. Attack the causes – calling a friend, distracting yourself, getting active, writing a letter … all these can help with stress, loneliness, isolation or boredom. Try not to eat as a reaction.
6. Go to bed by 10.30. Put away screens at least an hour before. Lack of sleep will make it all worse, not better. We are 100% more likely to grab comfort food if we are tired.
7. Think about how you want to look and feel AFTERWARDS. When we are all ack to normal Then ask yourself if you are on track to do that …..
I’m here to help if you need me! I am trying to stay strong, positive, active and trying my best to help others less fortunate as much as I can.
TOP RECIPE hahaha
IF ALL ELSE FAILS….
Sadly I cant acknowledge the creator of this. It was just shared with me on Facebook from yet another of my lovely ladies … who knows me well!
BORIS
Gosh he looked poorly the other day when he came out of hospital. Like him or hate him, you cannot deny that. You may have friends and family who look the same.
Personally I don’t want my 87 year old mum to go through that. So I’m staying home, and doing what I’m told as well as I can. Lets try to protect our more vulnerable neighbours, help out where we can, and keep the load off those amazing guys who are on the front line.
And part of THAT means taking care of ourselves.
Here if you need me.
Lotsa love
Noelle x
PS Please forward this to ALL your friends – share the love!