Have you put on a few extra pounds since the COVID-19 lockdown started? Well, you are not alone! With gyms closed, shopping limited, and stress levels high, it’s completely normal to feel like you’re struggling with your health and diet. Gaining a little extra weight is to be expected, so you shouldn’t feel down if this has happened to you. If you want to start taking those extra pounds off, you can give these effective tips a try.
USE PANTRY STAPLES TO CREATE HEALTHY RECIPES
If you’re like most folks, you likely have a few cans of beans and veggies tucked away in your pantry. Since shopping can be such a hassle these days, this can be the perfect time to break out those pantry staples and turn them into nutritious and delicious meals! From satisfying vegetable soups to amazing bean quesadillas, there’s no end to what you can create.
PLAN AND PREP ALL MEALS AND SNACKS ON WEEKENDS
Still, working your usual Monday-Friday schedule? Well if you have time on the weekends, you should dedicate a couple of hours to prepping this week’s meals ahead of time. Meal prepping is one of the most effective methods for keeping your weight-loss efforts on track and can prevent mindless snacking and binging.
SHOP ONLINE FOR A FEW NEW KITCHEN APPLIANCES
Preparing meals ahead of time can be a useful weight-loss trick, but sometimes you just need to get dinner on the table fast. In these cases, having an instant pot can be a real lifesaver for busy folks and their families. You can purchase an instant pot online, and you can also find tons of healthy recipes that can be prepared in less than an hour. A quality blender can also be a useful kitchen appliance for whipping up healthy smoothies and juices for meals and snacks.
BALANCE FUN TREATS WITH WHOLE AND HEALTHY FOODS
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to stay healthy in self-isolation, but it’s also important to cut yourself some slack. Stressful times can lead to stress-eating, and if this happens, try not to beat yourself up over it! Instead, focus on getting back on track with your health and fitness goals, and find ways to balance your diet between eating foods you love and foods your body needs.
DOWNLOAD HEALTH AND FITNESS APPS TO STAY ON TRACK
Tracking your meals is another effective weight-loss trick, and there are tons of free fitness apps that make keeping track of calories, fat, and other essential metrics less of a hassle. Apps like MyFitnessPal are totally free to use, although advanced features do require a subscription, and many of these apps offer recipes and workouts that can aid your weight-loss efforts as well.
STAY FIT AT HOME WITH FREE ONLINE EXERCISE CLASSES
Not being able to hit the gym can take a toll on your weight-loss efforts, but finding ways to burn calories and build muscle at home has never been easier! Many gyms and fitness studios are now offering free streaming classes to help folks stay healthy and in shape, while they are in lockdown, so scroll through the list and find a few classes that will help keep you motivated.
RESEARCH WAYS TO BOOST WEIGHT LOSS
Having a little extra support is important during a global crisis, and that can include finding natural ways to boost your weight-loss efforts. For instance, studies suggest that drinking green tea can help your body burn more fat, and there are few side effects to consuming this caffeinated beverage. You could also try appetite suppressants to curb those urges to snack, but some supplements can cause harmful effects, so definitely do your research before trying them.
Relaxing some of your health and fitness goals during times of crisis is totally okay and totally normal! So if that’s what you need to do in order to cope with the current global pandemic, by all means, do it. But when you are ready to get back on track and lose any added pounds, make sure you give the tips and tricks above a shot!