Fast and healthy ways to lose quarantine weight The struggle is real!

BY NOEL CUNNIINGHAM

Living through a global health and economic crisis can be stressful for everyone, to say the least. During this time our cortisol is affected which affects our eating habits, sleeping pattern and even our moods. In case you are wondering what, is cortisol? It’s your body’s main stress hormone. It works with certain parts of your brain to control your mood, motivation, and fear.

Stress is at an all-time high because of the uncertainty and trying to adapt to the new normal of COVID-19. As people we like to control our day or even our destiny but with corona we don’t know when the pandemic is going to end; we don’t know when quarantine will end; we don’t know what is going to happen with our jobs or even our businesses. All of that creates uncertainty and leads to this chronically activated stress response.

A few weeks ago I zoomed in on the lack of sleep or change of sleep pattern due to covid but this week my aim is to help you or someone you know how to curb their appetite, maintain their healthy weight or even lose a few pounds gained during this lockdown. When we are stressed our body goes into a panic mood and starts to crave sugar and fats. A stress-cortisol craving almost always is for high-sugar, high-fat junk food, and it’s constantly leading us to want to eat, eat, eat. This was the case for most people at the start of the COVID news. You made so many trips to the kitchen you weren’t sure if you are bored or hungry. That was your cortisol hormone at work.

It’s often said that it’s easier to gain weight than to lose weight and that is true. Our activity is limited now even if you are someone who didn’t workout at the gym by just going to the office or about your daily chores you were still being more active than just sitting at home watching Netflix and snacking. There are many ways in which you can first curb your appetite and reduce any excess weight you gained over this stressful period. Here are some tips and recommendations to get you back in shape in time for summer.

Balanced diet, sleep and exercise is the only healthy way you can lose excess weight.

Meal prep is highly recommended because you will be forced to eat what you already prepared which is a healthy option like your grilled chicken breast, quinoa bean salad and asparagus or even salmon with cous-cous and baby carrots.

Buy healthy food. Buy all your fruits and veggies for your smoothies and increase your fibre intake. Diets rich in fibre will keep you full and this will allow you to eat in moderation.

Reduce alcohol consumption. I know we just need a drink to chill and relax but alcohol will allow you to gain weight faster than anything else. It’s high in calories and it’s an easy way to surpass your calorie intake for the day.

Have a set menu and eating time. A set menu for the week will give you an idea if you are eating healthy. This way you can double check if your meals are balanced.

Sleep. If you are sleep deprived, that’s going to be one of the things that will really increase your cortisol levels and cause you to eat more while you are up or increase your weight.

Spice up your diet with more heat to speed up your metabolism. Spices such as cayenne pepper, scotch bonnet. Cinnamon tea also curbs your appetite, ginger, cardamom and cumin.

Home exercise can be a problem because of lack of motivation but simply jogging in the morning or evening will help not only your body but your mind and give you a good night’s rest so your body can burn better and you will be able to maintain your healthy weight or burn the excess fat.