Why are people gaining weight during corona?

[Anonymous]

I do NOT intend to shame anyone, I am only wondering why this “gaining the Covid 19” is a thing. If anything, wouldn’t people have more time to get in better shape? For me, I’m more likely to gain weight when I’m working all the time and sitting my arse in the car then the office and more inclined to eat out. Now, if you’re staying home or “quarantined” you’re probably not eating out as much, and unless you’re an essential worker, you’re working from home which means more time either running after your kids or more time to work out, and more time to cook. So why this whole thing about putting on weight this year as opposed to any other when you’d be more busy? What is causing it, among those who do? Honest question.

[Anonymous]

Some people stress-eat. Some people cannot resist snacking all day when they are steps from the kitchen. Some people feel like they need gyms to work out/don’t have a home gym/can’t take the heat to go outside. Some people no longer have childcare available. Really OP, you can’t think of any reasons?

[Anonymous]

Stress.

I stress eat. And Corona is stressful, especially when managing school and activities for a young kid. More time to work out? Ha. Not when I’m full time teacher, mom, and employee....

[Anonymous]

People are baking and cooking as a new hobby or a way to pass the time.

[Anonymous]

I am managing to get as much exercise as before. And we didn't eat out much before, so that's not an issue.

For me, the biggest problem is that when I was working in the office, I would eat the lunch I brought for lunch and then not think about food the rest of the time. I could focus 100% on work while working and be in the zone.

When I'm telecommuting from home with kids, either I'm passing by the refrigerator or I have to give the kids snacks or I am generally getting distracted and it's hard not to feel hungry with all the food around.

[Anonymous]

DH and kids around all day and night, hungry for 3+ meals, making messes, needing to be driven somewhere, it's non-stop (except for this stolen DCUM moment. I could be exercising for this moment, but I'm out of willpower)

[Anonymous]

I’m cooking a lot more, and it’s damned delicious.

[Anonymous]

Well we still have two jobs, and don’t have our short commutes, but instead get to run a daycare and school in our free time.

And our gym is loaded with a dangerous virus, so steering clear of that.

I guess I could work out at 3am, when I finish work?

[Anonymous]

Our entire family lost weight- started cooking homemade meals I think helped!

[Anonymous]

People are also drinking more.

[Anonymous]

I have no childcare for my two kids, I’m not as physically active as I was when I was out and about all day long, and a little co fort eating. I’m only up five pounds in the past five months, but it still feels like crap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our entire family lost weight- started cooking homemade meals I think helped!

You must have really eaten like shit before this.

[Anonymous]

I used to walk to the metro, walk to work, walk to get lunch, and then do it all on the way home. I could easily hit 10,000 steps just doing that. Now all that walking is cut out. I still work out, but I’ve gained 10 pounds. I’ve started going for a walk before and after work, but I hate walking for the sake of walking. I guess I never considered the extra walking exercise but it turns out it was. I increased my workouts, but it’s going to be a lot harder to lose than it was to gain.

[Anonymous]

Drinking, snacking, baking.

I’m guilty of letting good food be one of my indulgences and comforts. I need to work on it. Especially in March and April, I was coping with my anxiety by cooking and baking a lot of things we otherwise would never have had in the house. My DH started making fancy cocktails. It all ended up adding 10 lbs to my waistline. Kids have gained too.

We are doing much better now, but the weight hasn’t fallen off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people stress-eat. Some people cannot resist snacking all day when they are steps from the kitchen. Some people feel like they need gyms to work out/don’t have a home gym/can’t take the heat to go outside. Some people no longer have childcare available. Really OP, you can’t think of any reasons?

Good point. I guess school-age kids are the main thing. My husband and I don’t have kids yet, and I know my sister has her hands full chasing after her 4 year old so she hasn’t gained weight. I guess I’m less tempted by the fridge than by all the restaurant options by my work office. And I don’t stress eat, but I am more likely to eat unhealthy when I’m really busy, and these days without commuting or social engagements I am anything but busy.