Any advice for someone who wants to stay active, yet has trouble avoiding that last bag of chips?
Thanks for your post! Staying healthy seems to be important to you. Physical activity is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, and improve our mood and overall health. We can definitely provide you with some good tips on staying active and healthy during this time. Creating a routine schedule might be a great place to start. This can help increase your motivation. Also, try doing a workout that you enjoy, this will help motivation even more. For example: talk on the phone with someone or listen to your favorite music while out for a walk.
Cravings for foods that aren’t very healthy is quite normal, too. Being aware of when you crave these foods is helpful if you want to reduce, e.g., when you’re stressed, bored, or anxious. Perhaps you can add in a different option when you notice you have a craving, such as eating an apple, drinking a glass of water, or taking a small walk outside for fresh air.
Cravings for foods that aren’t very healthy is quite normal, too. Being aware of when you crave these foods is helpful if you want to reduce, e.g., when you’re stressed, bored, or anxious. Perhaps you can add in a different option when you notice you have a craving, such as eating an apple, drinking a glass of water, or taking a small walk outside for fresh air.
Thanks for the reply. Also saw this article on ESPN about physical activity. It might help: https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/28968781/how-stay-fit-safe-coronavirus-pandemic
I have zero motivation to stay active these days. I feel like all I do is stress-eat to be honest :(
Thank you for sharing this with us. I see where you are coming from. It sounds like staying active is something quite important for you and it has been a challenge for you to maintain it.
At times like these, when our schedules or lives suddenly change, it can be quite difficult to manage actually and to tap into our motivation.
In fact, feeling this way during these changes is quite normal and it matters to acknowledge our feelings and give ourselves the space to experience them.
Perhaps, you can consider some of the recommendations we shared above was well as this article Cast Away has suggested regarding staying fit during these times.
I hear you on the chips! I end up eating in front of the TV while bingeing a show, and it gets to the point where I'm just mindlessly eating. What helps is if I transfer the snacks to a different container like a bowl or something, and leave the chips in the kitchen cupboard. That way I've got some portion control, and if I want more, I have to willfully go and get it :)
As for exercise and activity, I walk my dog several times a day (on leash and I keep well away from others, sometimes crossing the street if someone else is approaching on the sidewalk), and I just grabbed Just Dance on sale for my console which at least gets us moving.
As for exercise and activity, I walk my dog several times a day (on leash and I keep well away from others, sometimes crossing the street if someone else is approaching on the sidewalk), and I just grabbed Just Dance on sale for my console which at least gets us moving.
Don't buy chips. I don't buy them on my BIG grocery shops. I only buy what I healthfully need for 1-2 weeks. Always make a shopping list so nothing else sneaks into the cart. If you are craving salty foods, it could mean you are dehydrated - so try having a big glass of water as a distraction first and foremost. It could also mean your adrenals are dealing with a lot of stress - LOL Check out my new category on Meditation and Stress Relief. I just put a few simple techniques in there to help reduce stress. GOOD LUCK!
Yeah the shopping list really helps me too. If I don't buy it, it's "out of sight and out of mind". But sometimes I let myself buy a small snack as a nice treat :)
Ooo I will try to the drinking water strategy, thanks for sharing that!
Ooo I will try to the drinking water strategy, thanks for sharing that!
Yes. What I do is play a mind trick on myself. While many people are binge-eating and stress-eating, I am saying to myself that I will actually be LOSING weight during this lockdown, not gaining it. Feeling like I am doing something different to what the majority of people are doing is a motivator for me, personally in this department. When I last went grocery shopping, I bought about 10 apples. Whenever I feel like my usual croissant or carb snack in the morning, I eat an apple instead and I'm full for a few hours. I also bought lots of nuts and cheese. Just think that you will be "going against the grain" during this period, as in, you won't be binge-eating or eating unhealthy stuff.
I would also suggest the classes on the Wellbeats app, if you are a member of the Wellness Centre. The classes are pretty good and there is a great variety!
I would also suggest the classes on the Wellbeats app, if you are a member of the Wellness Centre. The classes are pretty good and there is a great variety!
Thanks for the post Guitar Girl! Those are some great suggestions to keep yourself healthy. Keep up the motivation! :)