How I Lost 10 Pounds in Quarantine: 4 TIPS

Quaran-TEN, Quaran-FIVETEEN, Quan-TWENTY.

If you’ve heard some variation of this fear-inducing term, then you’re not alone. When the lockdown commenced across our nation and world, I spoke with friends and family who were panicked about the aftermath of quarantine and the havoc it would wreak on their waistlines.

I want to let you in on a little secret. I wasn’t trying to lose weight. I thought my scale was faulty when it read I was one dumbbell lighter. But looking back, I can now see how. I had slowly incorporated small lifestyle changes to make myself feel good physically and emotionally. This resulted in me becoming more toned, lean, and feeling healthier overall. Find out below how you can too, easily!

Now before I share how I lost 10 pounds, I want to emphasize that this is a very difficult time for everyone. If weight loss isn’t at the forefront of your mind and it’s not a priority for you right now, THAT’S OKAY! The main priority is for you to love yourself and do what feels right for you in this season! You’re doing enough and you are enough.

TIP #1: DON’T BE THIRSTY

I’m someone who’s always liked drinking water, but realized I wasn’t drinking enough. When quarantine started, one of my goals was to drink at least a gallon of water a day. I’ve yet to reach that goal (ha!), but the goal itself has pushed me to drink more than I ever have on a regular basis. I purchased this cute gallon sized bottle with motivational sayings and time stamps to encourage me to chug along throughout the day.

I also started to incorporate two tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar in my water. It is pretty diluted, so the taste is just fine.

I noticed this resulted in several things: 1) mental alertness, 2) less bloating, 3) less fatigue, 4) less sugar cravings, 5) less hunger and 6) better skin. In turn, I wasn’t confusing thirst for hunger, and I stopped consuming extra calories. *If you’re not a fan of water, try infusing it with lemons, oranges, or berries to give it dynamite flavor!

TIP #2: GET A SIX-PACK IN THE KITCHEN

Since the lockdown has started, I’ve made all of my meals at home. (This doesn’t include take-out or fast food.) If you know me, you know I’m somewhat of a germaphobe and will wait until the craziness of the Co-vid 19 pandemic subsides before I eat anything not prepared at home. (Call me extra, but don’t judge me! This is a judgment free zone 😂)

This resulted in a couple of things. First, I became much more aware of the ingredients that were going into my meals and I had more control over the portion sizes. Gone were the days of rooftop brunching or grabbing a super sweet chai tea latte from Starbucks before work in the morning. I’ve always been a pretty healthy eater, but this has taught me that too many extra calories are the enemy of progress. I also started eating more veggies, fruits, and lean meats.

*One pro tip is to blend this Supergreens Powder Premium Superfood in your smoothies. I didn’t know how the pandemic would affect access to certain food supplies, so I got this as a way to ensure I was getting a serving of fruits and veggies every day. This powder really increases your energy levels and makes you feel awesome!

Although my eating became more targeted/healthy, I never deprived myself. I love healthy alternatives such as halo top ice cream, which contains less fat and more protein.

TIP # 3: KANYE’S WORKOUT PLAN

I like working out. It is a good way to boost endorphins and de-stress; but the gyms shutdown. That meant access was denied to my good ‘ol faithful treadmill. It wasn’t until quarantine when I finally realized why many people consider some forms of cardio (running) to be a waste of time. I transitioned to only doing High Intensity Interval Training (“HIIT”) workouts. HIIT combines short spurts of intense exercise with periods of rest or lower-intensity exercise, mixing aerobic and resistance training. It is the best/most efficient workout in the shortest amount of time.

Spoiler – Alert! Y’ALL. HIIT workouts were a game changer. I saw the results of a leaner and sleeker physique within just a short few weeks. I used free Youtube videos online by Heather Robertson and Fitness Blender for 30 minutes about 4 -5 times a week. I chose videos that incorporated weights to get added resistance training. If you don’t have weights, just improvise and use something around the house, like a gallon sized water bottle.

TIP #4: KEEP AT IT

Remember, hardly anything happens overnight!

I saw results because I was consistent. If you fall down or get discouraged, the only problem with doing so is if you don’t get back up and try again. I didn’t make these tweaks all at once. The results I’ve seen have motivated me to continue with these small lifestyle changes.

How have you stayed healthy during quarantine? Share with us below!

Want to read more? Here’s an article on how God’s Word helped me gain confidence here.