How has the pandemic affected your exercise and life routines?

[Erica H.]

Big hugs to all of you struggling.

I have been stress eating like crazy the past few days between the covid numbers getting worse, political drama, and waiting on some medical test results. Help!

Erica

[gigi]

Originally Posted by wendug

Gigi- Thank you for your condolences, and a big hug to you as you mentioned being in a deep funk during the pandemic! But it does sound like you are doing better and just continue to block those negative people out!!! I do have to ask, what workouts are MBF and MBFA?

Muscle Burns Fat and Muscle Burns Fat Advanced on Beachbody. I was in such a funk that I joined Beachbody streaming and had to pay to have early access to these workouts as they won't become available to subscribers until December. It was worth it to me because it did get me out of my funk, though I had to start it 3 times before I could actually go through it due to Covid then falling and injuring my foot. I did the entire program. Now I started with Cathe's Perfect 30 but tonight I did MBF Week 1 Total Body Burn. And thank you....the funk is real but we have to keep fighting!

[gigi]

Originally Posted by Erica H.

Big hugs to all of you struggling.

I have been stress eating like crazy the past few days between the covid numbers getting worse, political drama, and waiting on some medical test results. Help!

Erica

I'm sorry Erica. I feel you on the stress eating. That is always my go to unfortunately.

[gigi]

Originally Posted by toaster

Bluebelle, Sharon Salzberg often offers walking meditations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHNl4imLCqE

Angela (Gigi), HUGS to you and best wishes for your continued healing.

Thank you!

[Erica H.]

Originally Posted by gigi

I'm sorry Erica. I feel you on the stress eating. That is always my go to unfortunately.

Thank you. It makes no sense since it only adds to the stress/anxiety/depression that I'm experiencing. But it's so soothing and distracting while I'm doing it...

Erica

[Paula N]

Originally Posted by Erica H.

Big hugs to all of you struggling.

I have been stress eating like crazy the past few days between the covid numbers getting worse, political drama, and waiting on some medical test results. Help!

Erica

This is me exactly! And I agree that it only adds to my anxiety, when I know I would feel so much "better" about myself if I stopped. But I have started telling myself that we are living through a once-in-a-lifetime situation, and anyway we can get though is all that matters now.

Yikes, I can't imagine waiting 90 minutes for a grocery pickup. The most I ever waited back in April was about 20 minutes. Now it's about 5 or so. I have been very happy with the quality of food. I discovered a local farmer's stand (closed for the season now) that took pre-orders by email, so I would get fresh farm produce and eggs every week by curbside pickup.

[toaster]

Originally Posted by Erica H.

Thank you. It makes no sense since it only adds to the stress/anxiety/depression that I'm experiencing. But it's so soothing and distracting while I'm doing it...

Erica, you might try making a list of other things that are also soothing. Your list would include anything that works for you, even if it only works some of the time - e.g., going for a walk, taking a bath, painting your nails, reading a book, watching funny YouTube videos, whatever. Then if you feel like stress eating, you could choose to try one of the other things first to see if it helps.

[FitBoop]

Originally Posted by Erica H.

Big hugs to all of you struggling.

I have been stress eating like crazy the past few days between the covid numbers getting worse, political drama, and waiting on some medical test results. Help!

Erica

Originally Posted by Paula N

This is me exactly! And I agree that it only adds to my anxiety, when I know I would feel so much "better" about myself if I stopped. But I have started telling myself that we are living through a once-in-a-lifetime situation, and anyway we can get though is all that matters now.

I totally relate to this, Erica and Paula. I have never weighed as much as I currently do. Wearing sweats all the time also makes it easier to ignore a growing waistline. I avoided the scale for a while, because seeing the numbers upsets me, but I am now keeping a closer watch on them. I lost 1 pound last week, which is better than gaining one. I eat well all day, and then blow it at night by snacking. I am now trying to snack with healthy foods.

I want to keep myself as healthy as possible during the pandemic, so that I don't need to go to a doctor or hospital. I also don't want to go to a dentist, so I have a thorough teeth cleaning routine every day.

I have been getting groceries delivered, and it's been great. I use Amazon Whole Foods, Fresh, and Stop and Shop. I cook a lot, and like to keep a variety of foods on hand.

[Erica H.]

Originally Posted by Paula N

Yikes, I can't imagine waiting 90 minutes for a grocery pickup. The most I ever waited back in April was about 20 minutes. Now it's about 5 or so. I have been very happy with the quality of food. I discovered a local farmer's stand (closed for the season now) that took pre-orders by email, so I would get fresh farm produce and eggs every week by curbside pickup.

Wow, that's incredible about your grocery pickup! I stopped using ours because it wasn't worth the time/hassle and now I just shop and take the extra risk involved. When I waited for the 90 minutes, I had to leave the car and go in the store and use the restroom anyway.

Originally Posted by toaster

Erica, you might try making a list of other things that are also soothing. Your list would include anything that works for you, even if it only works some of the time - e.g., going for a walk, taking a bath, painting your nails, reading a book, watching funny YouTube videos, whatever. Then if you feel like stress eating, you could choose to try one of the other things first to see if it helps.

I do like reading and doing things on the internet, but they are both triggers to snack mindlessly! I need to find something that keeps my hands busy, too. Going for a walk makes me feel like I'm hungry when I'm done. I do need to find something to distract me from the snacking/stress emotions. I do find that once I get away from the kitchen and temptation for a while, the craving stops.

Originally Posted by FitBoop

I totally relate to this, Erica and Paula. I have never weighed as much as I currently do. Wearing sweats all the time also makes it easier to ignore a growing waistline. I avoided the scale for a while, because seeing the numbers upsets me, but I am now keeping a closer watch on them. I lost 1 pound last week, which is better than gaining one. I eat well all day, and then blow it at night by snacking. I am now trying to snack with healthy foods.

Great job losing that pound and making the effort to eat healthier!

Erica

[Karla25]

Originally Posted by toaster

Erica, you might try making a list of other things that are also soothing. Your list would include anything that works for you, even if it only works some of the time - e.g., going for a walk, taking a bath, painting your nails, reading a book, watching funny YouTube videos, whatever. Then if you feel like stress eating, you could choose to try one of the other things first to see if it helps.

Wonderful advice :-)