How I Lost 20 Pounds During a Pandemic

Phew! I’m so happy to be writing a post about how I lost 20 pounds during a pandemic! Pandemics are not synonymous with “health and well being.” It would have been so easy for me to keep on gaining weight during this time. I like to eat when I’m bored or stressed or just hanging out at home. Hello, Pandemic Life!

In case it’s helpful for anyone else, here’s everything that helped me lose 20 pounds during a pandemic:

1. I weigh myself every morning while the shower is heating up. I know weight is not synonymous with health. But, for me, I definitely feel healthier when I’m in my average weight range. Looking at the number on the scale every morning helps me in multiple ways. First, it helps me see a “trend line” instead of just getting only one measurement each week. My weight goes up and down every single day. Second, it helps me re-motivate myself first thing every single morning. It puts me in the right mindset to try and make the best decisions for myself throughout the day.
2. I try to eat approximately 1,200 calories a day and only eat more if I exercise. But when I do exercise, I only eat up to half of the calories I earned. Of course this is easier said than done! I accomplish this by having lots of go-to meals (like a smoothie or yogurt for breakfast or an open-faced egg sandwich for lunch). It makes logging my meals super-easy, and it helps me bank calories for later in the day. Being on auto-pilot helps me make better choices. I try not to keep any tempting foods in the house (chips and guacamole are my downfall!). I try to get things ready and plan ahead. If I’m trying to think through food choices when I’m hungry, it’s Game Over.
3. I try to log every meal I eat. If I didn’t log my meals, there’s no way I would stay within 1,200 calories. Logging my meals forces me to come face to face with my choices every day. (I definitely don’t log meals when I’m over-eating. That’s always a sign to myself that I need to get back on track!)
4. I try to walk 10,000 steps a day. My treadmill desk helps with this, as well as with walks outside.
5. I ask others for support. For example, I ask Matt to make sure I log my meals and walk every day. I also text updates to my extended family when I need positive reinforcement and encouragement.
6. I connect with others who are on the same journey. The Noom program helps me build a healthier lifestyle. It has a built-in support group. I literally laughed out loud when someone in the group mentioned that 16 reduced fat wheat thins have 120 calories.

I’ve been on this journey since August. At first I thought I would hit my goal weight and then get to increase my daily calorie intake as I coasted into maintenance mode. But now I see that the lifestyle changes I’ve made these past several months are the same changes I will need to carry forward with me. That’s why this whole process is a lifestyle change and not a diet.

We shall see how the holidays go!