Anyone trying to improve their health because of this virus?

[PanicOnTheStreets85]

It's sound increasingly likely that most of the UK population are going to get the virus at some point. I'm young-ish (mid-thirties) but in the worst shape of my life

I gave birth a year and a half ago. It was a dreadful pregnancy and I somehow managed to gain about 4 stone. I've lost about 1.5 stones but my weight loss has stalled since going back to work in the autumn. I need to lose a little over a stone just get back to being overweight rather than obese.

I'm going to try and channel my worries about the virus into getting into slightly better shape. I found this article quite inspiring: edition.cnn.com/2020/03/10/opinions/improve-chances-against-coronavirus-opinion-phillips/index.html

Anyone else taking steps to improve their health because of this dreadful virus?

I will be taking up jogging instead of the gym.

Yes, we’ve all been taking a multivitamin. No idea if will help but feel we want to try something. That’s a good article Panic. I would feel better with losing some weight.

rather ironically I have cut down my weekly running mileage this last week. I have been training for a marathon and there is some evidence to show that very high weekly milegae can deplete your immune system. Also my marathin is now postponed so the pressure is off! Sticking to shorter runs for now. I am quite pleased I have been training though as I imagine from a cardiovascular point of view it will have helped. Generally eating healthily and multivits are a good call right now though.

I have been training for a marathon and there is some evidence to show that very high weekly milegae can deplete your immune system.

Wow I never knew that.

I need to start doing some proper exercise. I walk to work and back, I normally get 15,000 steps a day on my pedometer which isn't bad and I go for the occasional jog on a weekend. I was thinking of trying to fit some HIIT in as that seems best for improving lung capacity. It's just trying to find the time on top of nearly full time work (4.5 days a week) and looking after my DS. I know you don't need to do HIIT for long for it to be effective, but it would mean adding in extra time to wash my hair afterwards etc. I am going to see if I can squeeze it in 3 times a week though.

I've also been trying to learn how to do diaphragmatic breathing. Interestingly when I do it my heart rate on my Fitbit slows noticeably (from ~90 to 75) which I think is due to better oxygen intake rather than it just being relaxing. I have to think about it quite consciously though to breathe that way. There's a good article here:
www.health.harvard.edu/lung-health-and-disease/learning-diaphragmatic-breathing

Of course losing a bit of weight and exercising a bit more is good for you but do not put extra strain on your body.. The same way that too.much training for a top athlete can make them more vulnerable to illness , if you do too much exercise compared to what your body is used to, it will be more stressed ( in the short term). Also losing too much weight too quickly may also do the same thing. Lots of research also.shows that fear can surpress our immune system

I ( also.obese) am.cultivating an attitude of.taking care of myself and not panicking to lose masses of weight I am.losing a tiny bit but my measure of success is how calm I feel, how much moderate excise I'm.doing and how well I am.eating.

Stay well

The irony wasn't lost on me if people who cause the NHS so much money with their obesity and alcoholism related illness and now we're all screaming about NHS resources and worrying about respirators.

50% of cancers are caused by obesity now.

But any criticism of it results in people making excuses and screaming don't body shame me..when you're a size 20+

You shouldn't need a pandemic to make you want to reduce the burden on NHS and stop overeating

See the excuses already...losing weight when I'm obese will deplete immune system.

Also losing too much weight too quickly may also do the same thing. Lots of research also.shows that fear can surpress our immune system

True. I'm just aiming for a slow and steady weight loss (I'd be happy with half a pound a week), especially as I'm still breastfeeding too. I've been trying to just eat healthier since New Year's, but this end up with me gaining a couple of pounds and then plateauing for a couple of months, so I'm going to give Slimming World a go (online without the meetings).

The irony wasn't lost on me if people who cause the NHS so much money with their obesity and alcoholism related illness and now we're all screaming about NHS resources and worrying about respirators.

Ah well we're all human though. I've found one thing that I've been struggling with recently is not having a deadline for the weight loss. I got down to a BMI of about 22 for my wedding a couple of years ago and knowing that the date was set and that I wanted to look good walking down the aisle massively helped. I have lost a fair bit of the baby weight, but whenever I'm hungry I think "It's OK I'll start properly tomorrow." I'm hoping knowing this thing could strike at any point will be the kick up the bum I need.

It is true marathon training can affect your immune system. Too much hard/intense exercise is not good. I was ill lots when training for a triathlon.

So I’ve cut my mileage but I’m still running. Just not pushing it too hard.

None of you lot are Olympic athletes or running marathons.

Strange the NHS cant now cope with a real crisis having treated people who will not stop eating too much and the illnesses it causes.

Zach, I think that might have been debunked.

I mentioned something similar on a thread last week then thought I'd double check. Only very recently debunked though.

I lost nearly 3 stone since the summer and I’m bloody glad, I have to say. I’m not sure if obesity is a comorbidity but now I won’t have to find out.

MaomiMak what a horrible person you are. People are worried and trying to improve their health and there is always one snidey judgmental keyboard warrior having a dig

If you're morbidly obese you didnt do that without eating ridiculous amounts. That's fact not judgment

Now the nhs cant cope and you're all worried

You reap what you sow

@MaomiMakIs
Is that specifically to improve cardio? or just because there will be less people near you. I am thinking of shift a majority weights regime to majority cardio.

I know you don't need to do HIIT for long for it to be effective, but it would mean adding in extra time to wash my hair afterwards etc.

You don't necessarily get at all hot and sweaty doing HIIT, I find.

DH and I had started exercising more and eating more healthily at the start of January, we got apple watches for Xmas which we find very motivating in moving and exercising regularly. Part of that is walking, I'm hoping we don't get the sort of full lockdown which precludes walking in quiet areas/times.

I may have to dust off my Jillian Michaels DVDs

Lots of people have been training for the London marathon but anyway back to the point of the thread.

I’m giving my kids extra probiotics and we are all on vitamin d anyway.

neuro yes, I wouldnt be surprised if it had. The science was never very robust. It does make some sense in my head that I am always very tired for a few days after my 20mile plus runs at the end of high mileage weeks so could imagine as my body is busy repairing itself it may not be as capable of fighting off a virus....but who knows.
In truth last week was always going to be a tapering week for me anyway, and as I work for the NHS it was a super busy work week and I was generally knackered so it made sense to reduce mileage a bit. Anyway, back out for run later!

maom whilst I am defintiely not an elite athlete I can assure I am running a marathon! (or I will be once it actually bloody happens now!)

I am looking at how to boost mine and DD’s immune systems.
Going outdoors is my go-to for positive mental health and obv sunlight is good
Exposure to soil is meant to boost your immune system.
Basically being cooped up indoors is counterproductive
Exercise is good but decent sleep is as important. I’d say for me, anecdotally, a good nights’ sleep is the best preventative medicine

I have a young energetic dog, who likes long walks.
I have noticed a much higher footfall on some of the more remote paths over the last week. People seem to be shifting out of the gym.

I'm 38 weeks pregnant and still exercising at least 3 times a week, walking everywhere etc. So pleased I've kept going with it. Having a ELCS and really don't need to be worrying about other infections ATM!

Definitely. Bought ashwagandha, neem and tulsi supplements today to boost immune system and plants of the latter two. Lots of ginger and garlic plus turmeric as well.