Many people reported weight loss and weight gain issues during the pandemic. In the initial stage of the pandemic, doctors and health experts warned the public about the high risk of COVID infection in people suffering from obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other similar physical issues.

They made it clear that obese people or those having difficulty managing their excess weight are at high risk of catching the COVID infection. Besides, there was a high chance these patients might end up experiencing severe symptoms. One such patient explained how she struggled with her weight and other pre-existing medical conditions while preventing the risk of the viral infection.

Why Are People Suddenly So Concerned About Losing Weight?

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, a majority of COVID patients were suffering from obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. The research surveyed 5,700 patients who were hospitalized due to the COVID infection and it was found that 41% of these people were obese. Obesity increases your risk of developing many serious health problems, such as heart stroke, and diabetes. Besides, obese patients are more likely to experience severe symptoms of COVID and complexities from this infection due to their excess weight.

Researchers and scientists are still studying the connection between your weight and the risk of COVID infection. Perhaps, it’s because of the effects obesity has on the immune system. People have gotten more serious about their weight since the COVID outbreak. The thought of the severe infection and the high hospitalization fee is pretty daunting. And considering the high risk of COVID infection in obese people, it goes without saying that losing a few pounds is incredibly important for safety.

How Work-From-Home Helped People Follow a Weight Loss Plan?

For people like Jennifer, working from home meant a golden opportunity to walk more, eat healthy and nutritious food, and practice exercises that they may otherwise have never tried due to the hectic work schedule. However, it also posed a challenge for some people. Many cases of mental health issues were reported amidst the pandemic. Now that people worked from the comfort of their couches, they got too lazy to go for a walk or practice any physical exercise to keep their bodies in good shape.

Besides, close proximity to the kitchen meant unnecessary and unhealthy eating. People considered excessive eating a way to cope with stress. It was also an example of how the circumstances of a person can have a significant impact on their physical and mental health, especially their weight goals. Earlier, people would walk to the office to get some physical exercise while saving on the cost of transportation. Now that they worked from the comfort of their homes, a walk or any physical exercise was too much for them.

If there is one thing we learned from the pandemic, it is that weight loss requires a lot more than strong willpower. Your current circumstances, where and how you are living, and the food you eat daily are a few important factors that affect your weight management goals. Eating healthy and practicing exhausting exercises just to shed a few pounds is not a cakewalk.

The major problem with obese patients is that weight loss does not happen suddenly. Your weight increases gradually, which is why it is often dismissed as a health problem. The surprising fact is that 1 in every 3 adults in America is suffering from obesity while 1 in 13 adults suffer from extreme or uncontrollable obesity. It is often not considered a serious health problem until it turns into a medical emergency. Obese patients are more prone to diabetes, heart strokes, and other health issues than those who are fit.

How People Lost Weight During the Pandemic?

Gyms were closed and so were the fitness clubs, parks, and yoga classes. People moved to online fitness classes to keep their bodies in good shape while keeping their mental health in check. Since dining at restaurants or online food ordering was not an option during the pandemic, people were left with no choice but to eat a home-cooked meal.

It was the perfect time for obese and overweight people to stick to a healthy and nutritious diet. Some people followed intermittent fasting, while others relied on salads and light food to shed a few pounds. Hundreds of thousands of people joined online yoga classes, ordered gym equipment at home, and practiced other fitness activities to lose weight.

People also had enough time to track their calorie intake. Now that dieticians and nutritionists were offering online weight management diet plans, it was easier for overweight patients to seek help online. People were inspired by celebrities and social media influencers posting fitness, yoga, and home exercise videos. These were only to name a few, people tried different weight loss management techniques to shed up to 80 pounds within 2-3 months.

So, Has the COVID Pandemic Made Weight Loss Easier than Before?

The health experts clearly told the high risks of COVID in obese patients. Though the pandemic shed light on the importance of losing weight, a vast majority of people already knew the health concerns associated with being overweight and obese. A successful weight loss management plan takes a serious health issue or a terrible medical experience that could motivate them to stick to their weight management goals.

However, the concerns around weight loss due to the health risks associated with obesity and overweight issues are now dampening. With the vaccines and a better treatment plan available for COVID patients, people are no longer concerned about their weight. Additionally, things have gotten back to normal. Offices and businesses have reopened and people are back to following their sedentary lifestyle. The circumstances that the pandemic created were quite in the favor of those working towards their weight loss plan. However, people are busy with their 9-5 jobs and businesses. No one thinks twice before eating out.