Covid Weight Gain

I’ve experienced covid weight gain. Haven’t we all?

Okay, maybe not everyone has gained weight during covid but I certainly have. And in case you’re wondering, I’m not overly thrilled about it.

Perhaps you can relate.

The pandemic hasn’t helped in the weight management department. There aren’t many things to do right now and times are uncertain.

Eat to feel happy. Eat to feel comforted. Eat for entertainment.

How much have I gained?

I’ve gained about 20 lbs since Dec 2017, though not all of it during the pandemic.

A little bit in 2018, a little bit in 2019, a little bit more in 2020.

Much of my weight gain came as part of my fitness journey. My trainer wanted me to eat 2000-2400 calories a day in my attempt to grow muscle. Which was a far cry from the 1400-1500 calories I ate while losing weight.

I would estimate 10 or so pounds came from poor choices, off plan or “cheat” meals that turned into week-long indulgences. That’s what I’m struggling with now. My desire to be a moderator instead of an abstainer – although I’m not sure if balance is possible for me.

I’m trying.

A bit of history

If you’re new here, I lost 60 lbs in 2017. From 203.5 lbs to 143.5 lbs in exactly one year. How? By following a ketogenic diet. Once I committed, I spent 1,000 days following a ketogenic diet. No pizza, no french fries, no potato chips…for 1,000 days.

I went from a total couch potato to a woman who worked out 6 days a week! That’s how well abstaining worked for me. Pretty damn well, but being that restrictive left a little be desired. Such as food spontaneity, socializing, and eating my favourite, less than nutritious, high carb foods. Let’s be clear, life’s too short to always be a macro counting, restrictive hot shot.

Need help starting a ketogenic diet? Click here the learn more about my beginner's guide

A trip to Italy in Feb 2020 (yes, right when covid was starting to overrun the hospitals there) was the first time in 3 years that I had allowed myself to let go and eat all the fantastic Italian foods. I even had the most beautiful Italian woman, make me handmade ravioli from scratch, cook it and serve it to me. All while dining in a small village with cobblestone paths, and views of rolling hills for miles, and miles. The whole experience left me breathless and I was in food heaven!

But when I came home, I think I wanted to feel that way all the time. I wanted to feel great in my body AND eat all the things! But that’s not how my body and sadly, metabolism works.

The sugar cravings were strong, everything was shutting down due to covid, and I found plenty of excuses not to go right back to keto. So much stress and so much worry, I ate for comfort and struggled to do at home workouts when the gym was closed.

Time to Reset the Covid Weight Gain

I don’t want my weight to keep climbing…I want to get back to 100% keto and perhaps set my attempts at balance aside for a moment.

I’m committing to 90 days of following a ketogenic diet as of tomorrow, Monday Feb 22nd, 2021.

Am I ready to commit to this? Not really but I think it’s important for me to have a hard reset. I know I can do this and for some reason challenges really seem to stick with me. I love to prove things to myself – especially when I doubt my own ability to stick with something.

#90ketodays - Starting Point

Click to view a larger version to read the data

Current weight: 161.2 lbs

Height: 5’ 6”ish

Measurements (taken in the nude!):

Neck: 32 cm/ 12.6”

Chest: 93 cm/ 36.61”

Right Arm: 33.5 cm/13.19”

Waist: 81.5 cm/32.09”

Hips: 102.5 cm/40.35”

Right Thigh: 60.5 cm/23.82”

Right Calf: 38 cm/ 14.96”

Covid Weight Gain Before Photos

Here are my photos starting photos for #90ketodays. I’m not thrilled with these and Steve took them really fast when we were leaving the house for dinner. One take wonders. Sure I’ll post them haha.

You will also notice besides the covid weight gain, the covid hair! Salon appointment is in a few weeks!

Please don’t mind the massive watermark. My pictures get stolen a lot and used to sell weight loss products, pills, shakes, programs that I’ve never used. So I’m trying to prevent that from happening anymore!

I’ve included shots with high-rise leggings and shots with my stomach on full display in all it’s glory! My spare tire – pretty much where my added 20 pounds has gone to thrive! I really do love a good high rise legging!

Losing the covid weight! What’s my plan?

The Goal: Lose 15 lbs in 90 days by following a ketogenic diet, tracking my food intake, and moving my body.

Diet: Keto with a high protein focus. I will track my macros every single day. I will do some intermittent fasting and extended fasting. Click here for my post on what a full day of following a keto diet looks like for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Exercise: 1,000 jumps a day with my jump rope AND a minimum of 30 minutes additional activity. Example: walking the dog, strength training at the gym, gymnastics (once restrictions lift, I’m registered for a weekly gymnastics class for adults!)

Accountability: I will share an update every week on Sunday evening, here on my blog to let you know how the week went and share a weekly weigh in. Once a month, I will update my photos and measurements with before and after comparisons..

I will be so thrilled with myself when I accomplish these 90 days. I hope you will follow along on my journey!

Find Keto to be complicated!? Click here for my best advice!

If you’d like to drop your covid weight you should join me!

Feel free to tag me on Social Media and use #90ketodays so I can check in on your progress! Feel free to start at any date – even if I’ve already completed this challenge.

As always, I appreciate you reading and checking in on my journey! If you have any questions that you’d like answered about these next 90 days, please fill out the form here. I am working to get the comments fixed on my blog.

Thanks!

Joanna