Living with excess weight puts people at a higher risk of serious illness or complications, if contracting COVID-19. According to governments statistics, 8% of critically ill patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units have been morbidly obese compared with just 2.9% of the general population (link here). This information shows us that there could potentially be a problem for many and the NHS as restrictions ease.

Research in the UK taken place in 166 hospitals with over 16,749 participants, has suggested that people who are obese are 33% more likely to die with COVID-19 (link here).

Why could this be?

The reasons behind this are still being explored. In the early stages of the pandemic, experts quickly linked the following health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease amongst many others, to higher rates of mortality for positive COVID-19 patients. As we already know, these health conditions are greatly linked to obesity.

In light of this information, the government have been focussing on how they can help in the fight against excess weight and obesity. With strategies such as banning the advertisement of high sugar, high fat foods before 9pm, when children are most likely to be influenced. Another tactic, placing high fat, high sugar foods in less convenient places in supermarkets, such as by the entrance and checkout.

With the recent dramatic change in how we live our lives and a big focus on our mental health, there is no better time like the present to address any weight concerns you may have.

People struggling with obesity had a 55% increased risk of developing depression over time. People experiencing depression had a 58% increased risk of becoming obese (link here).

If you would like any professional medical advice on weight loss treatments, you can book now for a free consultation with our specialist weight loss doctor.

The post Obesity & COVID-19, risks and statistics appeared first on Bold Street Slimming & Cosmetics.

Concerns about the virus, our loved ones, jobs, finances and what the future holds are overwhelming and may take a toll on our health. While we don’t have all the answers, we offer some tips and guidance to help you care for your physical and mental health while trying to navigate through this extremely difficult time.

Tips

• Eat a balanced diet of whole foods, including protein, healthy fat and complex carbohydrates. Pile your plate high with vegetables and keep yourself well hydrated.
• Get active!! Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day if you are able to. Physical activity releases our happy hormones and gets our heart pumping. It is also a great stress buster.
• Stick to a daily routine. With many of us working from home and/or facing changes in our daily lives it is easy to let good habits slip. Try to add structure to your day. Get up and go to bed at the same time, eat at regular meal- times and add in times for focused productivity, to help you feel more in control.
• Talk about how you are feeling with a trusted family member or friend. This is so important to help us keep a check on our emotions. It is perfectly normal to have feelings of despair, worry and helplessness due to the current situation. Reach out to your loved ones by phone, email or video call on a regular basis.
• If watching the news and reading social media updates about Covid-19 are causing you stress and worry, try to limit your exposure. Perhaps just watch one news bulletin each day, to keep yourself informed but not overwhelmed.
• Find some enjoyment in each and, every day. Revisit your favourite hobby or try something new. There are lots of ideas online depending on your interests. It can be a great distraction from the news and a way to boost your mood.

And of course, continue to follow the government guidelines on social distancing and familiarise yourself with which lockdown tier you are in.

Stay positive and safe!

The post Support Your Physical & Mental Health through the new COVID Restrictions appeared first on Bold Street Slimming & Cosmetics.

With the added stress and uncertainly that a global pandemic brings and most of us spending more time at home than usual, it comes as no surprise that many of us have put on a few pounds. While we need to show ourselves some compassion during these stressful times, if you find that your weight is still creeping up, here are a few Bold Street Slimming top tips for getting back on track.

Stick to Consistent Meal Times

Have three meals each day; breakfast, lunch and dinner and no snacks. Just because we are closer to our kitchens, doesn’t mean we should pop in there every couple of hours and reach for high calorie food. Make a meal plan, know what you are going to eat and when and stick to it. A bit of normality can really help us feel in control and get back on track with our weight loss goals.

Get Active

A closed gym or local swimming pool is not an excuse to skip the exercise routine. There are many things you can do at and around home to keep active. In fact, during the first few months of lockdown, home fitness equipment sales sky-rocketed, with consumers buying kettlebells, stationary bikes and treadmills. However, you don’t need fancy equipment to get fit. If you have not done any physical activity for a while, start with a 30 minute walk 3 times per week and build up from there. Or if you are already working out and want to up the pace, choose a High Intensity (HIT) workout, which is a great fat burner. You Tube is a good place to find beginner HIT workouts.

What can you add to your diet?

Instead of focusing on removing food items from your diet, consider what you can add to it. Protein is a great choice, it fills you up and reduces the hunger hormone, ghrelin. Good sources of protein include chicken, turkey, eggs, beans, legumes and fish. Aim to eat a protein source with each meal.

Fibre

Ensure you are eating enough fibre, aim for around 25g per day for women and 30g for men. It fills you up and keeps your digestive system healthy. Choose from porridge oats, wholemeal/wholegrain bread, wholewheat pasta, vegetables such as broccoli, sweetcorn and carrots and also fruit, for example, berries, apples, pears and oranges.

And remember, consistency is key!

The post Gained Weight During Lockdown? You’re Not Alone! appeared first on Bold Street Slimming & Cosmetics.