Well my dears, it's official. My husband has Covid 19 and I'm feeling all the symptoms. I'll get tested after the 72-hour wait period my doctor has advised (getting the test too early can often yield false negative results). As you know, I've been working to re-lose weight gained after shoulder surgery. So how am I working weight loss amid Covid 19? That's a good question.
Here's the dilemma. Nutrition is essential when you're ill. But with Covid 19, as with influenza, you don't feel much like eating. Also, coronavirus notoriously takes out your sense of smell and taste. My poor husband is already noticing that. Typically, he can eat anything he wants without weight gain. Now, his appetite is diminished but he's only been sick for a few days and already lost 8 pounds. And he doesn't need to lose weight.
I jokingly told him not to mention this easy weight loss to those who are overweight and working their butts off to lose weight and only shedding a tiny bit at time (raises hand). They (I) may be tempted to beat him with his own scale! Clearly, weight loss isn't something to envy if the person losing weight doesn't need to or shouldn't be. It could be a sign of other coronavirus related health concerns.
But what about those who need to lose weight? Should we continue dieting we are ill? If obesity is an issue, yes. A recent episode of the TLC gastric bypass weight loss surgery show "My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?" dealt with that. Jeanne was struggling with morbid obesity. She's hoping to get gastric bypass. However, she has to lose weight to do so safely.
Jeanne gave her "My 600-lb Life" gastric bypass surgeon Dr. Now all kinds of excuses about why she couldn't lose weight and one of them was that she had been sick. She told Dr. Now that her body needed orange juice and that's what prevented her from losing weight. Dr. Now was quick to set her straight that OJ wasn't the only culprit for her weight loss fail that she was just making excuses to keep overeating. He also told her body needed to shed obesity most of all.
So what's the takeaway from "My 600-lb Life"? Sickness happens along the weight loss journey. Follow the protocol: for example, for stomach bugs, eat the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) but don't overdo it. This diet is meant to work your body back to normal eating.
For coronavirus and flu type illnesses, stay hydrated and nourished. This doesn't mean sugary desserts, snacks and empty calories. Eat the same things you would for weight loss: protein, lean meat, whole grains, balanced carbs, fruits and vegetables--in moderation.
Love ya!
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