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.

I don't actually think that you are being unreasonable OP and I say that as someone who has put on weight during lockdown. I think that maintaining /losing weight of the covid challenges we have to face just like trying to homeschool our children or maybe finding a new job. When I lived in Japan I noticed that people were frank with their friends when they gained weight and the friendly reminder seemed to motivate people to lose the weight. Maybe we should overcome our cultural taboo on criticising any weight gain and we might end up a slimmer nation.

When I lived in Japan I noticed that people were frank with their friends when they gained weight and the friendly reminder seemed to motivate people to lose the weight. Maybe we should overcome our cultural taboo on criticising any weight gain and we might end up a slimmer nation.

Same where I grew up and that was a western country. It wasn't done in a bullying way, just a simple matter of fact thing. But we can't do that in the UK, probably more like MN though, because obesity here is never under control of individuals, hence should never be mentioned, as I learned on MN.

Interesting first post, as they say

Leanandmean31 mother is that you?

For lots of people the opportunity for exercise has completely dwindled.

Gym, cycling to work, lunch run etc.

All replaced with WFH and home schooling.

Going out for a walk or cycling with the kids for most adults won't be exertive enough to keep up with old routines.

I have gained 1/2 stone and feel a bit down about it. Am now over 9 st and being short, it really shows. My clothes are tight and I don't feel as comfortable as I did at 8 1/2 st.

It's due to less exercise and eating chocolate biscuits. I don't normally buy choccy biscuits but bought LOADS when stocking up in February when I saw the virus heading towards us.

"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."

That's not what the science says so please stop deluding yourself and others with dangerous beliefs.

I have read every single one of the OP’s posts

She has been name called, scorned and for absolutely no good reason.

In her OP she expresses shocks at weight gain. And in follow ups she apologises for any offence. She doesn’t lower herself to responding with name calling etc in response.

It is a case of people being very sensitive and defensive about something they are embarrassed and kicking themselves about. Of course there are scenarios that the OP did not mean - people with eating disorders for example, but many have put on fairly substantial weight through over eating and under exercising - that was a choice. Many have not. Many have not over eaten. Many have adapted and managed to exercise.

You are being very unfair and judgemental op. My weight is usually pretty stable, but I have gained a stone during lockdown. I have continued to exercise but definitely eaten more treats and drunk more wine than I usually would. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t. This is an unprecedented situation and yes, I do feel rather shit about the fact I live in jogging bottoms with no make up. But I feel worse about the fact that I’m working every hour under the sun without leaving the house but still neglecting my dc and leaving them to their own devices.

I have another friend in a key worker role who lives alone. She is usually busy with friends or at the gym, but all of that had now stopped so when she isn’t working she remains at home, alone, so as not to put her loved ones at risk. We’ve all been keeping in touch and trying to keep her spirits up but it’s not the same as actual human contact. I think it’s perfectly understandable that she has gained a little weight.

In my opinion one of the worst things to emerge from this is the unfettered and at times quite nasty judgement of others and their actions. Please ask yourself why you care about this so much when it doesn’t affect you in any way. Your post says more about you than it does about the many that have gained weight in this crisis.

Juliet2014

I completely agree with you. I have been following and posting on this thread since day 1, not because I am particularly interested in whether or not people have put on weight but because I can not believe the vitriol the OP has received, particularly after her follow up comments. She has been called names, sworn at, told it is surprising that she has friends and that she is mentally unwell. Literally hundreds of negative messages. It’s astonishing. The irony is she is getting called out for being judgemental and mean and then really personally criticised. The average post is ‘I have put on X amount, blah blah blah, you are obsessed with weight blah blah blah, I eat blah, you shouldn’t be so judgmental and mean why do you even have friends’. I can only assume posters read the first page, get a sense of the tone and then pile on. What they write is so lazy and boring, but a fascinating insight into how this topic touches a nerve, and how bullying people can be when they think it’s fair game.

Thank you woodchiponthewall
I honestly didn’t mean to come across as horrible. I understand that people are offended. It was more the thing that this level of weight gain of over a pound a week is encouraged or seen as totally normal. I also agree with some pp that it’s not as easy as people think for the weight to just fall off once lockdown ends. There was already a huge obesity crisis before this. Why does everyone think that post-lockdown weight loss will just happen as if by magic. A stone and a half in under 3 months equates to more than 6 stone gained in a year if it continues at the same rate. Would people think that was a non-issue too?

And as I have said before, this is not aimed at those who have had a really traumatic time through lockdown or have lost family members or are working long shifts or have eating disorders. I appreciate the point about limited opportunities for exercise but I think the stats say that a large proportion of the population don’t do enough exercise as it is so why would they suddenly become super-active after lockdown ended?

It’s been interesting to see the responses even if I have been called a cunt on more occasions than I ever have before...

Absolutely agree with @Juliet2014 and @Woodchiponthewall

Some people here have serious issues and should look into the mirror.

The most judgemental people are usally the group of fat friends that make snide remarks about their skinny friend. Bitter that they won't join the fat club with them.

I don’t understand why people are chickens and name change. You have a view, it’s controversial. Have courage to say it.

I’m not offended by your comments. They’re not applicable to me. I am bemused by people who join or name change to goad others.

The most judgemental people are usally the group of fat friends that make snide remarks about their skinny friend. Bitter that they won't join the fat club with them.

That's interesting. I mentioned to a friend on Messenger that I put a stone on. She said good you looked disgusting before. You looked really sick. I was thin but still with a healthy BMI. She couldn't understand why I thought she was rude. I've had cancer and really did look ill a few years ago.... She struggles with her weight but I've never said mentioned her weight.

I’m pleased that the tide is turning

I agree with op and Juliet thread has touched a nerve. Obesity is an issue just glance around the high street a good third of the public now overweight its “normal”.

My weight crept up so bmi 27. Lost 2 stone at end of last year be buggered if I’m slipping back! Lost the last few pounds during lockdown turbo helps for exercise. Bmi now 21 and staying that way.

Ooh look at all the brand new posters who joined just to agree with the name changing/new OP.

Imagine being that bothered about keeping some nasty thread alive 😂😂😂😂

Imagine if anyone told a fat person "you annoy me, go and eat a cake" like the "go eat a leaf" which was here towards OP.

As someone who is now coming down from morbidly obese to obese (yay me, I guess...) I can honestly say that the attitudes here concerning. It's very easy to go from 12 to 14... To 16... To... 22... Very, very easy. Not so easy coming down. And whoever claims or thinks that as an obese or fat person they are not a strain on nhs. Let me rephrase that for you. You are not a strain YET. And it's not even about NHS. Should be about person personally. There is a tipping point for health and fitness when people will start having problems. First it's subtle. And then. Then it starts properly. Year ago, I too claimed I was healthy fatso. Few months ago I realised I can't walk up stairs without sounding like a steam engine.
All obese people started with "just an extra stone".

Yes, it's hard times. No one is denying that. But it will be even harder times when people are pre diabetic, with painful joints and in need of stronger office chair...

Totally agree. I had a routine medical and had gone up to bmi 27. Am 45 so know if I carried on I would have got larger year on year - sooo easy to do in our society my god so easy! Have changed entirely how I eat and my attitude to food and feel better for it.

Can't people just keep quite about other people's bodies unless directly asked? I've been a fat person, I was aware I was fat without it being helpfully pointed out. I've been a thin person, I was aware I was thin without it being helpfully pointed out.

@HelloMissus
Who are you referring to?
I posted on the thread ages ago
And I certainly haven’t just joined mumsnet!

Well aren't you just amazing, here's your prize

I'm eating less I've still gained weight the fact that I've been stuck in the house unable to do any exercise because as soon as I try the kids try to set fire to the house and the cats pass them the matches "walking" involves howls crashes arguments and fear and they literally do NOT walk fast EVER I've tried I'm going to be fat fuck it all

Fuck off, there's a dear