Reversing Pandemic Weight Gain: 6 Behavioral Suggestions for Successful Weight Management and Losing the COVID 15 (or 29)
Reversing Pandemic Weight Gain: 6 Behavioral Suggestions for Successful Weight Management and Losing the COVID 15 (or 29)
By James E. “Jed” Foster, MA, LMFT
The American Psychological Association’s “Stress In America” report back in March showed some deeply concerning numbers about health and the year in quarantine. Among those numbers was the statistic that showed 42% of those polled had undesired weight gain during year 1 of the pandemic. The average weight gain: 29 pounds. The reasons aren’t hard to understand – major changes in work, eating, and exercise habits – but Americans need to find a way to respond and reclaim their well-being. Kristin Weir posted a follow-up article on the APA’s website suggesting where behavioral specialists can play a part in helping those seeking to reclaim their help. Here are 6 behavioral suggestions from various obesity experts that could help you rein in the weight gain and get things turned around:
- Start with modest goals: Smart, reachable goals allow for positive emotions around accomplishment to be realized sooner.
- Establish new routines: Bad habits played a role in getting you here, it will take some new ones to turn it around. The good news is that sometimes it only takes small changes to start seeing results.
- Create an environment for success: Self-disclosure: I have terrible issues with self-regulation when it comes to food at home. There’s a reason why I know the distance between by thumb and forefinger can be measured with 7 oreos (because that’s how many I grab if they’re in the drawer). In my own journey of staying in a healthy weight range, I know I have to get rid of the junk in my house (or have others in the house hide it). That’s exactly what the experts are suggesting with #3 – clean it up and clean it out!
- Track yourself: studies have shown that those who track their nutrition lose more weight and keep it off.
- Emphasize health, not weight: Focusing on enhanced overall health and well-being feels different than just counting calories and pounds. If the goals begin with looking at a wide range of categories where improvement can be achieved, the good numbers will follow.
- Make it a Family Affair: Weir’s article stresses the importance of family involvement in fighting childhood obesity. Science also shows that there can be a ripple effect in the family that helps some family members lose weight simply because another member starts focusing on health.
More good news: the multidisciplinary team approach to weight management at Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health includes all of the above suggestions and more. Come join our program and have dietary, exercise and movement, and medical experts at your service.
Please check out Weir’s full article here:
APA: The extra weight of COVID-19
Jed is a licensed psychotherapist that continues to be both amazed by and drawn to the mind-body connection. Check in on his blogs and video logs for news, information, tips, and commentary on topics related to – but not limited to – the mind-gut connection, behavioral therapy, gut-directed hypnotherapy, weight management, positive psychology, stress reduction, anxiety, depression, overall well-being, and anything else he feels patients will benefit from learning. Jed is actively accepting new patients. Call 224.407.4400 today and begin your journey to better health and enhanced overall well-being.
