Jennie has said to lose weight before the 2nd wave in the winter.

[Hippofrog]

Jennie Harries has advised that overweight people should lose weight to reduce their risk during a 2nd wave in the winter. I’ve lost half a stone recently. Is anyone trying to lose at least a stone before the winter?

Not sure about the 'food vouchers' but think a better idea would be applying the same logic to health and fitness. Vouchers to use on gym subscriptions, leisure centre fees, cycles and other equipment. Would also support some MH issues rather than prescribing.

Mine has gone from 33 to 29 during lockdown. I'm desperate to get to a healthy weight, for my own sake and I feel more motivated now than I have done for a long time.

I am. I 're-joined SW after Boris said being obese had contributed to him being in intensive care. I think he was telling the truth that time. I've lost a stone but would like to lose at least one more. It's quite hard because my normal exercise is swimming and I'm not sure I'll feel safe to go back even when the pool opens.

I’ve lost a stone and a half while on furlough mainly because I started eating a Keto/low carb health plan recommend by my doctor as my blood pressure Has always been high and my blood sugars Had starting to rise. Both have now dropped. Also we’ve been taking extra vitamins in case we’re missing anything and have been having home made kifir for over a year now. I think our immune systems are pretty top notch now. My daughter is a virologist so we know the importance of a healthy immunity.

@Igivein I think you deserve huge congrats for that! I am in awe. I have been struggling with keeping my food intake down and alcohol. But you have inspired me 💐

@BogRollBOGOF I think losing weight for health issues, including better chance of survival if you get Covid is about people in the seriously obese category. You may feel that you don't look so good at BMI 24 but unless you are of a shape where you carry any fat on your middle, this is a really healthy size. There were some stats earlier this year showing that being mildly overweight (BMI 26-28) can actually be healthier as you get older and in terms of deaths from Covid. It may have just been coincidence based on a small group of people.

@igivein well done, sounds like you have done brilliantly

I would definitely recommend downloading the Couchto5k App (the One You one seems to be the most popular and very easy to use). I was unable to run 50 yards and felt my lungs would explode at the beginning, but can now run for 30 mins comfortably. It's been a brilliant and perfect project for lockdown and actually pretty life changing for me, physically and mentally too. My motivation (I started it end of Jan), when I read a little news piece about a sinister virus taking hold in China with people struggling to breathe and thought, right, come on, get off your 54 yr old arse and get those lungs working efficiently. No idea if it would really make a difference if I succumbed to the virus, but regardless of that it's been a very positive turning point in my life. It's a brilliantly designed programme and really works. Can't recommend it enough.

Yes, I’m a stone down so far. Whatever the motivation, if feels bloody good!

@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal

Yes that does show that more overweight people get it worse so make more antibodies.
One study showed in spain the people lost the antibodies within a few months

Jennie is right

I need to lose weight any way more so after lockdown and yes the thought of being higher risk for covid as well as many other things is definitely a motivation.

@MrsPumpkinPie that’s amazing. I started it and then with one thing and another let it slide. I’m going to restart it tomorrow. Thanks for the kick I needed!

I’ve managed to put on around 2 stone since Christmas and lockdown sped it up! Never been so heavy

So as I couldn’t go to the gym anymore, I started working out 6 days a week at home and started WW. Lost 1st in the first 4 weeks.

Haven’t done it for second wave purposes though. Just to get my weight back on track in general and feel better about myself (and make my clothes fit again!).

If that means I’m in a better position to fight off a potential second wave, then that’s just a Bruce bonus

[quote Keepdistance]@GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal

Yes that does show that more overweight people get it worse so make more antibodies.
One study showed in spain the people lost the antibodies within a few months[/quote]

Thank you, that's interesting. The chap on the phone just mumbled something about me not having liquid in me...

I wouldn't trust that woman as far as I could throaw her personally, but I am trying to lose weight simply because I am not comfortable at all with the extra weight I have put on!
It was so so much easier to lose weight when I was young, now I have told all my kids to help me by nagging me to take them out more! Doesn't help that I have a lazy dog that hates walks! lol
Anyway, good luck to anyone who needs to shift those pounds! I just want to fit into me size 16s again, that'd do me nicely! lol

Johnathan Van Tam is the one I trust but I think he blotted his copy book when he said the rules were for everyone (meaning Dominic Cummings should have stuck to them).

There's really no excuse not to. Since April 27th I've lost 23 pounds from dedication to healthy eating and just general exercise like walking and doing my hula hoop in the house. I have 3 kids, 2 still primary age and one a young teen, a job, albeit part time, and home schooling, but yes, I've found 90 minutes in my days to dedicate to myself and my own well being to exercise. I'm now at a BMI of 22, so I was not particularly overweight to start with. I'm also not particularly young, having seen my 30s out and now into 40s. Anyone giving excuses as to why they can't/haven't lost weight, if they so need to, is doing just that, imo. I can't, personally,see a better time to lose the extra weight

@ILoveStickers

I seem to remember that the "overweight" category have the best outcomes for COVID (underrepresented among hospitalisations, and best outcomes in hospital). Normal weight or obese is next best, very obese or underweight do the worst.

But I don't suppose anyone will be telling us to aim for a BMI of 27 to beat coronavirus. Ah well.

I can see it being good for people to focus on their health and fitness though - lots of exercise that's good for the heart and longs, plenty of vitamin rich food, plenty of time outside for vitamin D. I definitely feel motivated to keep myself as well as possible. I'm not sure weight is where I'd focus, personally.

You remembered the first part wrong. Overweight & obese people have the highest chance of being seriously affected by covid-19.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/03/obesity-and-coronavirus-how-can-a-higher-bmi-increase-your-risk

Thanks @Shell4429 and @shinynewapple2020 I don’t think I’ve ever been mentioned so much on a thread before - I’m normally more of a ninja thread killer!
The praise is very motivating

Go you @igivein. You've inspired me to keep going. Almost a stone off but can't seem to get there. Scary part of your message was "women put put weight on post menopause" another battle ahead.

Peacandquiet well done you!

You've illustrated that fitting in exercise and eating healthily can be tricky in these strange times (or any time for that matter) but we all need to take responsibility for our weight/health.

For me, Covid has made this even more important.

@ igivein Well dome you! Sounds like you’ve got the right mindset/attitude towards this so you will get to where you need to be. I hope you feel really proud of yourself

Your health is more important now that ever (I'm trying to lose a bit).

I also believe there will be a 2nd wave from.October onwards as this is when the winter pressures start and you will see Covid mixing with other respiratory conditions such as influenza and Norovirus and god knows where that will lead.

I have no idea who this Jennie is but if that's the motivation that works for you go for it.

This is the 1st pandemic we have seen in our lifetime it won't be the last.