So we are ALL home, ALL the time. We see our family members more than we bargained for, and we snack way more than we ever did before the pandemic. For some weird reason we get hungrier when we are sitting at home, than when we were out and about - or even sitting at our desk at work.
Most of us, if not all, have gained some “COVID weight,” and that's normal. We all started to freak out at the beginning of this pandemic wondering how we would keep active if gyms closed and how working
remotely would actually work. We bought treadmills, ellipticals, got a membership to a virtual class, etc. Now we are at a stage were we don’t even know when this will all be over - we’re opening our communities in fits and starts, and there is a very real chance we’ll get a second wave of infection.
And that can be depressing.
But I have eight ideas that I think will help you and your family during these rough times, to take this break in routine to establish NEW routines to make you feel better:
STOP CONSUMING JUICES, SODAS AND SUGARY DRINKS. Instead get a reusable water bottle and carry it with you around the house, *at all times.* This will not only help you hydrate throughput the day, it will also help you stay fuller, longer. For your kids, use the water bottle they took to school. Just make sure you have straw-free ones that are easy to wash often. If yours has a plastic straw, no problem, just make sure you have the appropriate brushes to clean them out.
TRY NOT TO DRINK ALCOHOL EVERY SINGLE DAY. - Even though we may want to. Notice the operative word, TRY. Drinks, especially cocktail mixes, tend to have tons of sugars, therefore, tons of calories. However, some weeks are harder than others, especially if you are helping your kids with remote school. On those days, a glass of wine equals sanity. I’m not judging.
WHEN YOU FOOD SHOP, EVEN IF IT’S ONLINE, DON’T DO IT IN AN EMPTY STOMACH. Hunger is a poor adviser, and will only negatively affect your picking choices when you are filling up your cart.
TRY TO BUY SUGAR-FREE OR LOW SUGAR FOODS AND SNACKS. If you are home all day, and all you eat is loaded with fats and sugars, then you will not only gain weight, but also become very sluggish (even depressed!). Try buying low-carb products, as too many carbs can turn into sugars. Buy tons of fruits and produce, that will make your kitchen/fridge look beautiful and will keep you healthier.
CHECK YOUR LABELS! Each product in the market that you buy that is not in the produce section has a label. Look at that label and understand what it is that you are putting in your body. The more names you can’t pronounce, the less natural that product is. In this day and age, there are so many healthier options to consider. Make sure that on the back of the label where it lists the nutrition facts of the product, it says “no added sugars.” You can find that right underneath Total Sugars. Added sugars are usually not beneficial to your body, because it makes you crave more sugars and unhealthy foods. It is also not great for kids. It doesn’t allow them to focus properly, gives them a short high with a strong crash, and can contribute to obesity. I’m not saying you or your kids can’t eat dessert or some chips - ll I am saying is monitor it, and make wise choices.
EXERCISE. Yup, I said it! I hate it too, but it has to be done, especially if your metabolism is not that of a 16 year-old. You don’t have to sign-up for a marathon, although if you do, kudos to you! You can take nightly walks when the sun is not as intense, do some yoga or pilates, play a sport with your kids, or just do a few pull-ups each day. Keep moving for your health AND your sanity. If you don’t exercise often and you are not a body-builder, you can still do things to stay healthy, which is the most important thing.
PUT YOUR KIDS TO BED AT A DECENT TIME. This is probably one of the most important points out of the eight. My sister, who has three kids, all older than my son, taught me that adult time at the end of the day is extremely important for the entire family- and she as 100% correct! Whether you are a single parent or if you have a partner and four kids, this is good for several reasons: a) your kids get the adequate sleep children need to help their development and school progress; b) you get to speak to your partner or other adults, which helps you balance your day and take care of your personal relationships; and c) you have time to plan and organize yourself for the next day, do something nice for yourself, or simply relax. My husband and I put Parker to bed at 7:30pm on school nights, and on weekends or holiday, we make sure she is in bed by 8:30pm the latest. There are days where things happen, and we may not be able to stick to those times, but it is definitely our routine. You can figure out a time that works for you and your family, but keep in mind that kids love routines, even if they say otherwise. Routines provides kids with a sense of safety that allows them to feel secure.
ENJOY YOUR FAMILY. With the everyday craziness, pre-pandemic, there was little quality time with family members. Now it is quite the opposite, and there’s too much time. I don’t know about you, but I sometimes love being alone. I really enjoy silence, a glass of wine, a book, watching telly or scrolling through social media. But there are times I feel like I just want to hug my son or my hubby, and be in that moment. That makes me very happy. It makes me extremely happy to play scrabble or other board games with them after dinner. Snuggling in bed, all together and watching a movie is also a real treat. So value those moments, don’t take them for granted.
We are living in hard times, where we can’t control a lot of things - but there certainly are many other things we can control. Making new routines that make you and your family feel better is a start.
And please, so that we can one day return to “normal,” wear a mask, and keep socially distant.
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