The time spent in quarantine was necessary to keep you safe and healthy--but that does not mean some of us did not slip into some unhealthy habits when it came to eating and exercising. According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, about 61% of adults in the U.S. have experienced unwanted weight gain since the start of the pandemic.
Look, sometimes gaining weight is fine. And there is no shame in that when you're stuck at home stressing about a pandemic. But if the added pounds have been an unwelcome visitor that you now want to kick out, or you just want to get back to your pre-pandemic healthier self, here are a few steps you can take right now.
Make a Plan
The first step in setting a weight goal is to make a plan. This may be getting back to your pre-pandemic weight, or it may be more of an overall plan to get healthier than you have been in the past 1 or 2 years. The key to success is to have a plan with specific milestones that you can refer to while you are working to get back to your best self. This plan should include both fitness and nutrition goals.
And if you need assistance in setting this up, Merritt does have a Nutrition and Wellness program that can help you.
Get Moving
One of the biggest changes that quarantine brought was the inability to access fitness facilities. Merritt Clubs reopened last year and, more recently, has lifted capacity restrictions and mask policies. With things getting back to (fairly) normal at the clubs, now is a great time to get moving again. We don't just offer access to fitness equipment. You can also find group fitness classes and personal training options that will help you meet your fitness goals.
Change Your Diet
While the pandemic may have given some of us an excuse to throw healthy eating out the window, now is the time to reevaluate how you are fueling your body. You can start with simple tasks such as limiting sugary snacks and drinking more water, then build better nutrition from there.
Cooking your meals gives you more control of the ingredients your body takes in. And meal prepping is a popular way to plan out your healthy-eating week. But if you don't have enough time, you can always have someone else do the healthy prepping for you. LM Prep offers nutritious, ready-made meals for your convenience.
If you are ready to start shedding those extra pounds gained during the pandemic, just contact a Merritt Clubs Wellness Coach, Personal Trainer, or visit a club to help you get started.
