Healthy Tips to Combat Weight Gain
Nicole Parker ‘24 Sports Editor
With gyms closed, schools shut down and sports programs cancelled, obesity rates have reached an all-time high in the United States. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adult obesity rates topped 40% for adults and over 19% for young people in 2020. Fewer people are moving and working out because of the pandemic, which has been going on for nearly a year. Not only that, but people all across America aren’t making healthy food choices and are binge eating. Bloomberg reported that chip and pretzel sales rose almost 50% during May of 2020. Obesity not only affects weight, but it impacts overall health as well. Someone who is obese is at higher risk for experiencing complications and even death if they contract COVID-19, versus someone in shape and average weight.
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Teens and children aren’t getting the same level of physical activity as pre-coronavirus. Students used to walk between classrooms, go outside for recess, attend after school activities and participate in sports. Now, students are stuck at home, taking classes online and sitting for hours each day in front of their computers. According to the Mayo Clinic website, studies link being sedentary for long periods of time with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. Fortunately, there are many resources available to get you moving, staying in shape, and eating healthy. Senior Tyler Nyguen says he “tried lifting and running everyday” to increase his activity since he’s not getting his usual exercise. If that sounds like too much, Coach Foley suggests easing into an exercise routine: “I would recommend that people start small. Start with just taking a 20-minute walk every day. Take the dog if you have one, a sibling, parent, or just a really good music playlist or audiobook. Then, find something you love to do, and make time to do it!”
If you want a more challenging workout, there are plenty of videos on YouTube that are available for free. Sydney Cummings, Chloe Ting and POPSUGAR are just some of the popular fitness channels. If you don’t have weights or other equipment, no worries. All you need is motivation. You can choose from a variety of online classes ranging from a 10-minute ab workout to a one-hour high intensity cardio workout. Yoga is another great way to increase strength, balance and flexibility as well as improve your mental health. You can find free yoga videos on YouTube. Some recommended channels are Aham Yoga and Yoga with Adriene.
If you want to take your workout outside, Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia offers a fitness circuit trail located along the path around the lake. While you walk along the trail, there are different circuits that you can use for free. Next to the equipment, there are signs with instructions on how to complete the circuit and an illustration of someone preforming the exercises. Some of the fitness challenges include ladder cross, step-up routine and leg lifts. This is a very great resource to use if you want to get exercise while enjoying the outdoors. Plus, the lake and trail are beautiful to look at!
If you want a more challenging workout, there are plenty of videos on YouTube that are available for free. Sydney Cummings, Chloe Ting and POPSUGAR are just some of the popular fitness channels. If you don’t have weights or other equipment, no worries. All you need is motivation. You can choose from a variety of online classes ranging from a 10-minute ab workout to a one-hour high intensity cardio workout. Yoga is another great way to increase strength, balance and flexibility as well as improve your mental health. You can find free yoga videos on YouTube. Some recommended channels are Aham Yoga and Yoga with Adriene.
If you want to take your workout outside, Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia offers a fitness circuit trail located along the path around the lake. While you walk along the trail, there are different circuits that you can use for free. Next to the equipment, there are signs with instructions on how to complete the circuit and an illustration of someone preforming the exercises. Some of the fitness challenges include ladder cross, step-up routine and leg lifts. This is a very great resource to use if you want to get exercise while enjoying the outdoors. Plus, the lake and trail are beautiful to look at!