About lockdown weight gain

[Leanandmean31]

So I was talking to a friend on Zoom and she told me that she has gained a stone and a half during lockdown. I was shocked when I then spoke to other friends and heard the same thing and that I am one of the only ones I know who hasn’t gained weight and used lockdown as an excuse to eat what I like. I am worried about the NHS burden as there are so many patients who have had their treatment delayed due to Covid and the last thing we need is more health issues caused by obesity.
AIBU to think that people should be more responsible? Btw before anyone flames me I am not talking about people who have had a very stressful job during lockdown. My friend said her DH has discovered a love for baking so she has just been sitting there eating bread and butter for 2 months.

This has been a terribly stressful time for everyone (i don't know a single person who hasn't been stressed out!). Let us at least eat our cake and biscuits OP for gawd sake!

How judgemental Glad youre not my "friend". If youre not a comfort eater you wouldnt understand why people turn to food. Try and understand not judge

I've been trying to get fit and gain muscle during lockdown, but I don't want to join your judgemental cow club OP. Get a life.

Dear OP,
I know I've put on weight, I really hoped I wouldn't but I've spent so much time at my laptop trying to work out the cost of Covid to my bit of the business that I've simply not moved as much as I would do when I'm in the office.

Yes, there have been days when I've fridge picked too much but I've tried to offset by eating less on other days. I don't just sit and hoover up crisps and biscuits during the day. I probably drink too many cups of coffee but this and video games help me cope with the stress I've been under on the work front.

I started on Couch to 5K, but stupidly didn't warm up properly so now have a sore achilles tendon. It's all about keeping active, I do not want to be at risk of diabetes or a drain on the NHS.

Oh shut up. I gained a stone and I’ve now lost the stone. Most people will lose the weight when they go back to their normal routine! It’s not as if everyone is going to be suddenly morbidly obese and developing health problems from gaining a bit of bloody weight.

So what if people have put a few pounds

I'd say I've put on roughly ten pounds give or take.

I was actually planning to use the lockdown to get back to running and be healthier, but perfect timing to get a nasty flare of trochanteric bursitis so that went straight out the window.

Do you reckon there's a 14 page thread over on pistonheads with all the men talking about how they've put 10lbs on or lost 10lbs and blah blah fucking blah? No, me neither.

Another day, another "oh my GOSH some people are FAT" thread.

What's it going to be tomorrow, OP, a wide eyed expression of shocked horror that some people drink too much alcohol? A struggling to come to terms with the fact that the stress of the last few months means some people have been on edge and grumpy?

I’ve put on about half a stone. I wasn’t obese before and I’m not obese now, I doubt I’m about to become an unbearable strain on the NHS. I do, however, normally spend 4-5 hours a day on my feet at work whereas I’ve spent a lot of the last 12 weeks doing admin sat down so yes, I needed fewer calories but I didn’t restrict because fuck that.

What a horrible, sanctimonious, patronising post. Do you want a fucking gold star OP?

I’ve been drinking more but eating fewer carbs and exercising more. No commute and a cessation of kids extracurriculars has meant I have more time to look after myself. I’ve actually lost 5 kilos. I should try to lose another 5 to 10 really, but I’m pleased.

For me life’s been easier. This is very much not the case for many other people. Weight is pretty complex. It’s not as simple as move more and eat less. Not really. Judging other people’s weight is a hobby for people with not much more to feel good about than being thin. Read a book, plant a garden, take up a sport. You aren’t in a good mental/emotional state OP.

Fatist.

I was shocked to find I'd gained 6 lb but then am shielding and mobility issues with things like stairs and bending so could pace up and down like a madman constantly but no I'd rather do something productive with my time. I've just done as normal, worked on the garden, work, eaten normally and when this is over I'm sure I will soon loose the weight quick enough when I can get out and about more so not worried. Could well be the lack of exercise as they probably normally very active but as soon as they are able to get back out again they will soon loose it again. Could also be some comfort eating and boredom again will soon loose it when people are able to get out again ;)

The reason the OP's friends have gained weight is because they are eating more and less active the OP hasn't gained weight because their metabolism is obviously geared to doing very little...

Why is it that for a certain group of people, in which the op firmly belongs, the worst crime that anyone can commit is to put on weight? There are many reasons why people are overweight and it rarely comes down to simple gluttony. Scientists have recently found that some lucky people have a gene which means that they can eat anything without putting on weight. My husband is in this category and my two younger children are lucky enough to have inherited this. My oldest child, unfortunately, takes after my side of the family which means that weight is a constant battle. For me, in addition to this, there are two medical conditions which make it almost impossible to lose weight. I am not stupid and I think we would all have to have been on a desert island not to be aware of the risks associated with obesity.

I am far more than my imperfect body. I have a career for which I am very respected and have been working throughout lockdown. I have been married for over thirty years. My husband has also been working throughout as a key worker. We have three grownup children, the oldest of whom has a disability. He is delighted that he is now able to join our bubble. I have an older mother who, although healthy, still needs moral support. I could go on. Yes, l would love to have a perfect size ten body but that is never going to happen. However, l feel that the aspects that make up the rest of my life are far more important. Perhaps this is also true for the op's friends.

Some people put on weight easily, some don’t. Whether or not you do or don’t is very often outside your control and by that I mean that if 2 people eat an identical diet, one might put on weight and the other might not. It doesn’t make the one who does a bad person, a lazy person or one who doesn’t care, nor does it make that person worthy of judgement from someone who is lucky enough not to easily put on weight!!

Over the years I have in total, lost around 11 or 12 stones (not all in one go, and I have never been more than 4 st overweight, I just mean if you add up all the times I’ve lost a lot of weight, it adds up!!) I never set out to put it all back on again, I’m of reasonable intelligence, I know what to eat and what not to eat but somehow it creeps back on.

OP you should learn the meaning of the word “empathy” and give your friends a break!!

I’m short and slim and I’ve yo-up’d between my natural weight and 5kg heavier. I’m lucky that at my heaviest no one can notice when I’m wearing clothes but I still feel awful about it.

I used to be one of those people who never put on much weight and could eat and drink what I wanted.

Then I hit 40 a couple of years ago and my body was like “Er yeah you’re not getting away with that anymore”.

I started putting on weight around Xmas but then lockdown came and I put on more. I’ve worked all through lockdown but I have a sedentary job and couldn’t get to the gym as normal. I don’t live with my partner so didn’t get to see him at all for months (until the government allowed it as of last week) which was tough emotionally/mentally and mainly ate crap and drank far too much wine out of work stress and sheer boredom.

I’m not obese however. I’ve just put on far more weight than I’d have liked to.
So I’ve done something about it and have started working out every morning 6 days per week and joined weight watchers. And the weight is dropping off. So don’t panic, I won’t be a bother to the NHS

To assume that anyone who’s put on weight during lockdown must be practically obese and will be a strain on the NHS, is judgmental and quite frankly a little OTT.

What a lovely friend you are. You sounds fucking delightful.

Not really any of your business whether 'yoga girl' was on a restrictive diet before or if she stuffs her face dawn to dusk with crisps and cream cakes is it? I'm assuming they're all adults and can make their own choices? Well let them. You do you

How unkind you are.
I am pleased you are no friend of mine. @Leanandmean31

Jog on.....

I've been feeling guilty about the 7lbs I've put on. (It's on top of the stone I put on being ill before Christmas 😞). I think putting on 21 lbs is quite impressive though so I'd probably be a little surprised if my friend told me that. Luckily I have a wardrobe full of dresses that are tight under the bust then flare so you can only see my slimmer parts.

I don't often leave negative comments on here but jeez . Interesting you're worried about the stress obesity-linked problems can cause for the NHS. I'd also be worried about the stress caused by mental health-related issues from judgemental skinny people fat shaming again.

I'm applauding your friend for finding a nice, enjoyable hobby to keep her sane and happy during lockdown. Myself and my colleagues who are struggling to keep our relationships together whilst working from home, homeschooling or looking after toddlers would be grateful for some of what she's baking.

Maybe people have just decided to have a less disordered relationship with food in lockdown and actually enjoy it? Maybe they have made the positive decision to focus on their health (exercising more) instead of on their weight.

I can't believe I have to point this out, OP, but thin does not equal healthy. A fat person who takes lots of exercise will be healthier than a thin person who doesn't.

For God's sake keep your antiquated opinions to yourself and don't fat shame your friends for not using lockdown as a chance to obsess about their weight.