Have you been motivated to lose weight due to the links between being obese and poorer outcomes?

[SistemaAddict]

I gained weight during lockdown taking my BMI to 26 and have lost it again now with a BMI of 23. There have been several news stories about excess weight and higher risk of death with coronavirus along with the government saying they are going to do something about obesity rates no idea what they are actually doing though.
Have you been motivated to lose weight due to COVID? Did you gain weight during lockdown or did you need to lose some anyway? I know a lot of people have said they gained weight but none of the people I know look any different but then I'm useless at noticing weight until there's a huge loss or gain 🤷🏼‍♀️
I'm more determined to keep the weight off now because of COVID but it didn't prompt me to lose it to start with. I just felt I'd reached maximum density for me and needed to take action.

[EgyptianMummy1]

Ooh im jealous. I thought the obesity link was at 40 bmi. Anyway good for you. Ive gained sadly.

[SistemaAddict]

Maybe it is, I've not paid too much attention to the specifics to be honest. I'll read up more today and see what's what.

[cardibach]

Much like most issue with health and obesity it’s more complex than it appears I think. It’s those Co occurring conditions Which make you vulnerable is I understand it - diabetes and breathing issues, for example. I’m in the verge of the category they say are at more risk but other wise healthy - no diabetes, no asthma, low cholesterol, low end of normal blood pressure - and I had a mild case before they said obesity was a factor. I realise this is anecdote not data...
In terms of weight loss, I don’t think being overweight is a choice - who would chose it? It’s a complex issue, those of us overweight are already well aware it affects our health, I’m not sure another factor will make any difference - plus if you are BMI40+ it will take so long to NOT be overweight that it’s a fair bet things will have changed with Covid. It’s not a quick fix for this group of people.
OP, your weight never put you at risk anyway so 🤷‍♀️

[quietandpeaceful]

Yes, I had a BMI of 46 - now down to just above 40 or so . Still a shedload to lose though .

[SistemaAddict]

My asthma puts me at risk so I don't want anything else adding to that risk. Obesity is indeed a very complex issue with no easy fix.

[MarmiteCrumpet25]

Yes I put on half a stone but have now lost 11 pounds. I need to lose 5 more pounds to be out of the over weight category.

[Wilkolampshade]

Most certainly yes, had slipped into the obese category with a BMI of 31 but have lost 8kg and am now f'in delighted to be 'only' overweight.
Keeping going. Hard with the kids home and mooching around though....

[blue25]

I lost weight as I wanted to be as healthy as possible just in case. I wasn’t obese to start with though. Went from 10st 4lb to 9st 1lb.

[HarrisonFived]

No, I was heavy since having DCs and for some reason I found it much easier to start and stick to a diet during the pandemic, before I was acutely aware there was a link. I've lost 3st since and I'm aiming to lose the rest before Christmas.

[Bol87]

Yes. I gave birth in March & I’d put on 3 stone. Admittedly a lot of that was baby & water but I’ve lost all 3 now & I’m back to pre-baby weight & fit & healthy 😊 BMI is back to 20.5. I’ve eaten sensibly, cut the snacks & walked an hour 5 times a week with baba. My other half has done the Fast 800 as he was pre-Diabetic & it was recommended. He’s lost 2 stone & is back into the healthy BMI range. He wants to lose another stone to be more in the middle of the range. I’m really proud of us both for sticking at it & trying to improve our health & wellbeing! Both for corona reasons & just general life!

[feelingverylazytoday]

I gained 3 kgs during lockdown which put me back into the overweight category. I've lost them again. I used to be obese, then overweight , and I'm never going back there again, in fact I'm aiming to lose a few more kgs to be on the safe side.

[Newbeginningforme]

Back in March my BMI was 43.6 and the govt announced anyone with a BMI over 40 were extremely vulnerable.

I decided it was time to take action on weight loss so have been calorie counting with myfitnesspal. Have managed to lose over 17kilos so far and my BMI is now 38.

Still have a long way to go but am now in a routine with calories, have started to walk more and joined the local gym. Working from home has made this a lot easier.

Not sure what the advice is now, I did read that a BMI of over 35 was now vulnerable but not sure if that's gone down again to 30.

[growinggreyer]

Yes, my BMI and waist are now in the acceptable range but I want to keep going to get rid of my overhang. Funnily enough, I have found Boris's weight loss to be an incentive. I have walked nearly every day since lockdown and will continue until the weather turns.

[SistemaAddict]

Some great success stories here!

[PlateTectonics]

I've lost half a stone since the beginning of lockdown. My BMI is still in the overweight category though.

Nothing to do with obesity being a risk factor - just one of my periodic attempts to lose a bit of weight. I'm fit and healthy in all other ways, so covid isn't something I'm worried about.

[Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd]

No, I went back to climbing after 15 years off and wanted to be as fit as possible. I don't own a scale (just a kitchen one) and never will. I just go by how my clothes fit.

[Bakewell79]

Spurred me on too, started around late March with a BMI of 48.3 and it’s currently 42.1.

Still puts me in the vulnerable category but I’m keeping my head down and pushing on, hoping to be below 40 by Christmas!

[PowerslidePanda]

Yes - I've lost 35lb since the start of lockdown. My BMI was 29.6, it's now 23.2. Well done to everyone else who has lost weight as well!

I've seen some things stated on this thread that I don't think are accurate (though I'm happy to stand corrected if anyone has more comprehensive studies). Firstly - it's not true that obesity is only a risk if you're otherwise healthy - it's a risk factor in it's own right:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/oby.22831

Secondly, the risks begin at a BMI much lower than 40. One study found that even for the BMI range of 24 - 28 (i.e. overweight, not obese), the risk of severe illness nearly doubled, compared to BMI below 24.
care.diabetesjournals.org/content/diacare/early/2020/05/12/dc20-0576.full.pdf

[KitKatastrophe]

I am now "healthy weight" rather than "overweight" (have previously been obese) but nothing to do with covid, I was on track to lose it anyway.

To be honest I dont understand people who are losing weight because of covid. It's very well known that obesity increases your likelihood of many diseases (e.g. heart disease, cancer) and makes you more likely to be badly affected by others. I just find it surprising that an increased risk of cancer isn't a big enough incentive but increased risk of covid is.

[FatCatThinCat]

My BMI was 53 and is now down to 48 so still a way to go. Covid is definitely a motivating factor as I'm terrified, but I put on weight due to sleep apnea and thankfully that is finally under control so I would be losing weight now anyway.

[feelingverylazytoday]

@KitKatastrophe

I am now "healthy weight" rather than "overweight" (have previously been obese) but nothing to do with covid, I was on track to lose it anyway.

To be honest I dont understand people who are losing weight because of covid. It's very well known that obesity increases your likelihood of many diseases (e.g. heart disease, cancer) and makes you more likely to be badly affected by others. I just find it surprising that an increased risk of cancer isn't a big enough incentive but increased risk of covid is.

I think that's just down to the impact of covid. Cancer is something that's always there, and covid is something that we're living through in real time. It just feels different to other illnesses.

[MadameBlobby]

Said I would, as usual I can’t get motivated. Always start well and can’t keep it up. Hopeless. I’m only in my 40s and don’t have other health issues. As someone said above the stuff in the media really doesn’t help with motivation when it would take 2 years to be not obese even with no slip ups. An increased risk of an already small risk is still quite a low risk but I’m still hoping to avoid it, and find my motivation from somewhere.

[Zebrasandfairytales]

Yes - I weighed myself a few months ago and was shocked at how big I had got.

Started doing the Very Fast 800 and have lost 32lbs in 9 weeks.

Have five more stone to lose until I’m in the normal BMI range.

[MadameBlobby]

@KitKatastrophe

I am now "healthy weight" rather than "overweight" (have previously been obese) but nothing to do with covid, I was on track to lose it anyway.

To be honest I dont understand people who are losing weight because of covid. It's very well known that obesity increases your likelihood of many diseases (e.g. heart disease, cancer) and makes you more likely to be badly affected by others. I just find it surprising that an increased risk of cancer isn't a big enough incentive but increased risk of covid is.

I suppose it’s just that it’s more immediate and tangible than the “risk” of getting cancer or heart disease in 20 years

[TheLastStarfighter]

I have just got unexpectedly motivated. Read this thread - thought “what’s the point I’m sure my BMI will be well over 40 and I would just have too far to go for it to make any difference” - checked just now and it’s 33. So I actually feel very motivated. I feel like I could at least get it below 30 and that would be something.

I know it doesn’t work like that and any improvement at any weight would reduce risk, but it just feels different.

Thanks for starting the thread!!!