Boris declares war on fat

[Weallhavevalidopinions]

Boris has said his being overweight contributed to his problems with Covid-19.
Stories this morning suggest he will wage war on fat...

What type of help do you think might be suggested?

Have you decided to lose weight due to Covid-19 worries?

YABU - no I will not lose weight due to Covid worries
YANBU - I will lose weight due to Covid worries

I am approximately 2 stones overweight using the rough BMI measure - I know that it isn't completely accurate.

I am worried about Covid - although I am not diabetic, I have asthma.

I have tried and generally failed to lose weight in the past and now thinking it is time to sort myself out.

If you are happy being larger fair enough. I'm not and think I ought to make a plan.... trouble is I like wine and chocolate... need very low calorie versions of both please.

Manufacturers - good quality wine and chocolate with lower calories please!

Like...
I was aware of my being overweight previously.
I had not realised Boris Johnson was going to style himself as some kind of Poundland Jamie Oliver.
Now I'm almost rethinking my previous plan to lose weight.

I think public health education would be more effective if suggested by someone less marmite tbh.

I've been trying to lose weight for years, for my own reasons, and it is coming off slowly. Quite frankly, Boris can fuck off. How can anyone take anything that bumbling twat says seriously.

Yes, covid has given me the kick up the backside I needed. Or rather the fear of catching it and dying and leaving my kids (I also have asthma).

I've lost about a stone in a month, still have a long way to go as I'm obese but it's happening.

"I think public health education would be more effective if suggested by someone less marmite tbh."

That made me LOL.... indeed you either love him or hate him...

It's true though, he struggled with Covid-19 whilst other cabinet members who announced they were infected the same time as him shrugged it off.

I know it's not just being overweight and other health issues affect chances with Covid but being obese does cause an increased risk...

Stories this morning suggest he will wage war on fat...

Sounds like media hype to me.

I've lost some weight for this reason.

Being overweight makes you at risk of early death already. Are people that irrationally afraid of coronavirus that this will make them get healthy when cancer, heart disease and dementia didn't?

Reply to this:

"MinkowskisButterfly Fri 15-May-20 09:31:21
Yes, covid has given me the kick up the backside I needed. Or rather the fear of catching it and dying and leaving my kids (I also have asthma).
I've lost about a stone in a month, still have a long way to go as I'm obese but it's happening."

Wow you have done so well. May I ask what particular way you have found successful for losing your weight?

I am similar to you. Covid has given me a shock - but as yet not taken action. I really need to sort myself out though since if this comes in waves, cannot lock myself away forever so need to take some positive action to reduce my risk factor.

I hope any campaigns take into account sex specific aspects of weight loss and being overweight.
Since I hit perimenopause it's taken me 10 times as long to lose weight as it used to.

Also maybe issues around neurodivergence.
Being autistic, I do get anxious about public health advice that relates to me.
However, I also use food as a stim so it's a huge part of my coping strategies.

Losing weight is not easy. And I don't drink alcohol or eat chocolate.

I think public health wise it might be good to have a conversation around alcohol consumption too. I'm not sure it's good for your immune system and there has been much more of a focus on smoking.

I would be delighted to lose two stone if Boris leads by example.

He’s hardly svelte himself, is he?

Well if just some of us lose weight due to Covid when we didn't lose weight due to concerns of heart disease etc... then surely some good?

I am trying to look for positives it everything...

It’s true it is a factor the majority of patients we have seen are overweight or have underlying health issues . Mostly men with big bellies it’s definitely a factor .

No.

And also, I HATE the way that war language is being thrown around all over the place at the moment. We aren't at war. We don't need to have a battle mentality. We need the opposite: we need to be kind to ourselves, kind to our bodies, and kind to each other.

This:

"SuperLoudPoppingAction Fri 15-May-20 09:34:05
I hope any campaigns take into account sex specific aspects of weight loss and being overweight.
Since I hit perimenopause it's taken me 10 times as long to lose weight as it used to."

Same here - I was fairly average weight until perimenooause and then suddenly year on year the weight piled on - 2 stone in several years.

It is defininately harder now.

I hadn't realised that obesity is the second biggest risk factor for covid after age. I'll be trying to lose weight. I've been trying for ages, but this'll give me a bit of motivation.

www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/doctor-note-obesity-risk-factor-coronavirus-200406065716658.html

I do think he is right. I was horrinly aboutb7-8 stones overweight at the end of January. I think I had Covid in February and lost 22 lbs in 3 weeks, I went on to lose a further 8lbs and was really in a good place to keep going.
I have gained a good half a stone back from lack of exercise and over snacking.
I start each day with good intentions, my low fat spray roast veg are cooking away in the actifry right now for salads later. Then I decide I need a reward.
I must be stronger!

Yes they will, because it’s imminent, it’s here it’s on the news and affecting everyone. All
Of those other conditions have a “it won’t happen to me” vibe as they are not on the news everyday even though you are less likely to die from Covid than cancer.
If it helps people struggling to lose weight have focus then fair enough. Some however don’t want to lose weight and will not chose to, no matter what the risk, which is a personal choice.
I assume if bojo does go down this route he will use himself as an example.

Very brave of him to say so. Boris waistline watch will now be a weekly thing in the DM. Of course he will likely have access to personal chefs and trainers who can conjure up a tailor-made diet and exercise programme and prepare it for him, so he should be able to manage it.

The thing is, it's true. Most people with a bit of intelligence would have realised this. He is simply trying to raise awareness - not a bad thing.

Borris Johnson is Obese!

Lol, he needs to lead by example. But then he thought shaking hands was OK when he was telling people to socially distance!

Is Boris intending on losing weight himself?

I'm 47, 5ft6 and have just hit 14 stone - Covid has given me a bit of a scare into doing something about it to be honest. I have PCOS anyway, so I'm at higher risk of diabetes, my blood pressure has gone up in the past year to the point where I've had to go on medication for it, and I'm now having trouble with my knees and back due to being overweight.

And it is my fault. I eat healthy meals, I drink maybe two or three times a year, but I have a massive addiction to sugar, and it needs to stop. Not sure how I'm going to tackle it yet - in the past I've obsessively walked it off, but I haven't been able to do that during lockdown due to a knee problem and working. Think I'm going to have to go cold-turkey on the sugar for a start.

I’ve decided to use lockdown to try and lose weight, so far I’ve nearly lost a stone. It’s so much easier now when I’m working from home to find the time to exercise (normally have a two hour commute) and because pubs are closed we’re not eating out much so eating healthier.

So yes, I’ve decided to lose weight during the pandemic but specifically due to COVID worriedly (although it is to some extent).

I didn't realise that either. 2nd risk factor after age!

Wow - thanks - I need a kick up the bum. I have started walking each day and must look at more exercise spaced throughtout the day.

I have found working from home though that sat on the PC - Microsoft teams rather than running around I have put more weight on over the last 2 months.