I’ve out one so much lockdown weight Aibu to ask if you have too?

[Carolbaskinstiger]

I’ve gone from a size 12/14 to an 18 since this time last year. I’ve spoken now to three friends who are the same. Have never been this large ;and also to be fair was already heavy for me - but am 5’8 so am usually slim- ish).

Firstly has anyone else done the same. Bit also - if I’ve put it on in year is it reasonable to think that with a decent diet and resuming good exercise habits I can shift it in six months?

On 02 Jan I took a few photos of myself in a very unforgiving dress (that barely fit last summer). I looked like a squished packet of sausages in it. I’ve put it away until it fits. Down almost 20lbs now, another few to go.
Intermittent fasting. Not much exercise but I’m changing that this month to get some tone.
I don’t think I’ll ever wear that sodding dress, I don’t even like it very much. But I want the option. And I want to look good. Onward!

I put on 2 stone from Feb to August last year but thankfully have managed to lose it. I was disgusted with myself, covered in stretch marks.

Gonna aim to lost about 1-2 stone and then I will be happy with myself

I've gained a stone in the last year - I went from being very active (cycling to work 5 days a week, walking 10k steps per day, gym a couple of times a week) to literally stuck in the house with FT WFH and looking after DC. The amount of chocolate has crept up, but I think it's mostly the vast shift in my activity levels that are responsible.

I'm now 21 weeks pregnant and I don't think this is the best time for me to try to lose weight, but I'm hoping with DD back at school I can get more exercise during the day and rebuild some of my fitness, so I keep my pregnancy weight gain within the guidelines as my BMI is now 30 and I don't want to add any health complications to the mix.

@FrankButchersDickieBow

Seriously have zero motivation. I dont know where I'm going to find it from either.

I feel the same, just tired all the time

The opposite here, lost 28lb starting last summer as I really wasn’t happy with my BMI that was a pound away from overweight. I find some have gained weighed due to stress related overeating and inactivity and others have lost weight!

No one can answer that without knowing how much weight you've put on. 1-2 lbs/week is an attainable amount to lose so you could potentially lose 3 stone in 6 months :)

@Graciebobcat I've used nutra check for years - I pay for it. I can't get on with MFP at all. This one is just so simple and user friendly

I gave up drinking alcohol in the first lockdown (was a real wino!) and have lost just over a stone as a result and dropped from size 14 to 12.

I have struggled with the motivation to exercise since about November last year, though, and am very wobbly and unfit. Hoping better weather will inspire me!

You can definitely lose a good proportion of that weigh, OP, if you’re focussed.

Not sure how much I've put on, and I don't think I want to know.

Pre-lockdown, I was very active, went to the gym regularly, cycled lots etc. I've gradually lost motivation over the past year and seem to spend my time comfort eating instead...

I'm up 5lb from this time last year, but was weighing light then as I'd been ill and lost weight.

For me it's been far less activity - I usually do about 18000 steps a day at work, far less in my kitchen! Plus I feel like food has taken on a huge significance, planning meals, cooking new recipes, "treats" because there is nothing else to do, nowhere to go, too much wine. I know very few people who haven't put on weight, and think once normal life resumes it will be far easier to lose it.

I honestly think we all need to give ourselves a pat on the back for just making it through what has been a difficult, stressful year, and not beat ourselves up.

FrankButchersDickieBow

Seriously have zero motivation. I dont know where I'm going to find it from either

I feel the same, just tired all the time

Yes, I agree but I have found the less I do the less I want to do and I end up in a negative cycle of thoughts.
Yesterday we got out walking found a location nearby but a place I hadn't been to and the sun was out. It was a struggle at first but I bloody loved it and could have stayed out for hours. It gave me such a boost.

Hopefully spring will bring motivation it has been a tough year for everyone, we've been zombified for a year it is no surprise motivation has died alongside all the pleasures in life. Brighter days ahead hopefully.

I'm guessing the people who've managed to lose weight will for the most part not have young children. No commute, no office to walk around (used to cycle 2 miles and do 10k steps most days), and managing wfh with a toddler and sharing that parenting with my partner (so don't feel I have the luxury of 'me time') have meant I literally do not have time in the day to go for long walks. I could have eaten less, but I think we've all struggled with that given that there's nothing else to do!

I literally do not have time in the day to go for long walks

I don't either and I don't even have kids. Though it's probably more the thing that I don't enjoy walking anyway. That's why I do 25 min HIIT in combo with some dumbbells. Saves time, doesn't matter what the weather is and is actually not boring🙈 I can highly recommend it, though obviously I know it's not for everyone! I think it's actually burning same cal in 25 min as hour long walk (brisk-ish). And it tones nicely.

I lost 3.5 stone in 2019 but put it all back on (and more) last year

combination of lockdown and no willpower - I just can't seem to stop eating crap food

my scales don't even weigh me anymore because I'm so fat

Omg yes I have hardly any clothes that fit comfortably and can I get the mint Iva toon to lose it !

You can defo lose it in 6 months. I have just lost a stone in 3 months. Even allowing myself an evening of drinking per week. I am intermittent fasting and low carb (no zero carbs, just low) no carbs in the evening just whole grain carbs during the day of any. Good luck, and don't beat yourself up, a stone is nothing, and bet you look much better than you think

Wierdly I lost a stone during lockdown, something to do with restaurants and pubs being closed I'd guess. I don't snack as a rule but have been more sedentary so bought a Pilates reformer machine and got into that with youtube tutorials. Passes the time and is helping to tone up my tummy thankfully. Now 8stone 10 but my face is looking a bit drawn which isn't the best.

Sadly yes. Home schooling three kids, two who are autistic and trying to work as led me to the biscuit time and the treat cupboard. I’m not nearly moving as much and frankly I’m bloody exhausted.

I gained 20lbs in the last year but am trying to get it off with 1200ish cals a day and 18:6 fasting. I’m down 7lbs since January so I’m on the right track but the best thing is how much better I feel mentally - I so nearly went to the go for pills in dec/jan - something I’ve never felt the need for before. Getting out for a walk each day too, it helps so much. I ordered myself a load of nice new clothes from my favourite online shop to incentivise me too.
I agree with the pp who said nice food and drink was the only pleasure throughout all this so it’s no surprise so many people have gained so much weight - I also feel like I’ve aged 10 years!

@whatswithtodaytoday

I'm guessing the people who've managed to lose weight will for the most part not have young children. No commute, no office to walk around (used to cycle 2 miles and do 10k steps most days), and managing wfh with a toddler and sharing that parenting with my partner (so don't feel I have the luxury of 'me time') have meant I literally do not have time in the day to go for long walks. I could have eaten less, but I think we've all struggled with that given that there's nothing else to do!

I’m one of the ones who lost weight, with an 8m old when I began :)

You don’t have to exercise to lose weight. It can help but as long as you maintain a calorie deficit that’s what it takes. I ate approx 1300cal daily which was a deficit and lost it no issues while being pretty inactive. Even people who use a wheelchair full time can lose weight!

go = gp

I was shocked to have put on 7kg since last spring. Combination of limited exercise ( I normally swimlate in the evenings and gave young children limiting my times to run) hugely increased alcohol consumption, comfort eating and mindless eating. I am bursting out my clothes!

I have got the the point I know it needs to change so started doing my fitness pal. I have been really strict and managed to lose 3kg in 2 weeks hitting my calorie target (just under 2000) which shows I must have been overeating massively! I think a lot of people are in the same situation.

I put on a stone then lost 2 through intermittentfasting...8: 16....will be easier when weather gets warmer...try it!

I've put on loads too. And lost all my muscle tone. And fossilised to a point where I can't even sit cross-legged.
When this is over (or at least when DC go back to school next week) and I don't have to spend all day on homeschooling and childcare, and all evenings and weekends doing my job, that I will have some time to do some fitness/yoga, and hopefully time to cook healthy meals rather than grab unhealthy snacks, and not need to self-medicate with unhealthy snacks/beverages.