Stop Freaking Out About Your Pandemic Weight - Here's What Actually Matters
OK, let's get real for a second. Last week, I found myself standing in front of my mirror, wondering if my pandemic sweatpants were getting tighter. And you know what? My first instinct was to spiral into panic mode and Google "how to lose quarantine weight fast" 🤦♀️
But here's the truth bomb I need to share: We've been totally played by diet culture during this pandemic.
The Great Pandemic Weight Gain Myth
Y'all, the numbers don't lie. According to the Mayo Clinic, people gained an average of... wait for it... 0.21 pounds during quarantine. Not 15 pounds. Not even 5 pounds. Less than a quarter of a pound!
Yet here we are, stressing about the "quarantine 15" like it's some kind of universal truth. Spoiler alert: it's not.
Why We Need to Stop Obsessing (Like, Right Now)
Here's the thing that keeps me up at night: We're living through a literal global pandemic, and somehow we've decided that our pants size is the biggest problem? Make it make sense!
The real talk is this: obsessing about food and weight isn't just unhelpful - it's actually making everything worse. And I'm not just saying this as your friendly neighborhood wellness coach. The science backs this up:
- Stress hormones? Through the roof
- Inflammation? Cranked up
- Mental health? Taking a hit
- Blood pressure? Not loving it
The Food-Stress Connection Nobody's Talking About
Let me share something personal - during my first month of lockdown, I found myself face-first in a pint of Ben & Jerry's more times than I'd like to admit. And you know what? THAT'S OKAY.
Our bodies are literally wired to seek comfort food during stressful times. It's not a character flaw - it's biology, baby! When we eat certain foods (usually the carby, fatty ones), our bodies release feel-good hormones. It's like a warm hug for your brain.
Plot Twist: Your Body Knows What It's Doing
Here's what blew my mind when I learned it: our weight naturally fluctuates throughout our lives. gasp
It's supposed to! We're not robots with perfectly controlled intake and output. We're complex human beings living through unprecedented times.
But What If Food Is Your Only Coping Method?
Real talk time: If you find yourself turning to food as your only stress relief, I get it. Been there, bought the stretchy pants. But here's what I learned the hard way - we need more tools in our emotional toolbox.
Here are some game-changers that worked for me:
- Movement that doesn't suck - Find what feels good. Maybe it's dancing in your kitchen, maybe it's yoga, maybe it's lifting heavy things. The key? If you hate it, don't do it.
- Mindfulness without the woo-woo - I'm not saying you need to meditate for an hour. Sometimes it's just taking three deep breaths before you reply to that annoying email.
- Creative outlets - Journal about your feelings, draw terrible pictures, make a playlist of angry breakup songs. Whatever works!
- Connection - Text your friend that meme. Call your mom. Join an online community. We're social creatures, even us introverts.
The Plot Twist You Didn't See Coming
Want to know the wildest part? When you stop obsessing about food and weight, you actually create space to develop a healthier relationship with both.
I'm not saying it's easy. I'm not saying you'll never stress-eat again (hi, that's still part of being human). But I am saying that you deserve better than spending your precious energy worrying about pandemic pounds.
Your Action Plan (If You Want One)
- Notice when you're spiraling about food or weight
- Ask yourself: "Is this helping or harming my wellbeing?"
- Choose one non-food coping mechanism to try
- Be ridiculously gentle with yourself
- Repeat as needed
And if you're struggling? That's okay too. There are professionals who can help - registered dietitians and therapists who specialize in this stuff. Many of them do virtual sessions now (thanks, pandemic!).
The Bottom Line
You're living through a global pandemic. You're doing your best. Your body is doing its best. And contrary to what diet culture wants you to believe, gaining weight is not the worst thing that could happen to you.
What matters most right now is taking care of your mental health, finding sustainable ways to cope with stress, and being kind to yourself. Everything else is just noise.
Anyone else dealing with this? Drop a comment below - let's talk about it. We're all in this weird, wild ride together. 💕
P.S. If you're feeling overwhelmed by food anxiety or emotional eating, please know you're not alone. Reach out to a professional who can help you navigate this journey. Your wellbeing matters more than any number on a scale.
