On the Weigh to Better Health

Running on my treadmill every morning was my pre-pandemic routine.  When we went into quarantine, I continued to claim my time.  I would start early and run until I hit my mileage, or when Bob said I needed to stop as he had a meeting.

When quarantine moved to the yellow phase in June, I moved my activities outside to the nature trails.  The trails were void of people.  I was free to exercise in nature as I pleased.

A shift eventually happened. As I left my treadmill, the basement became more of Bob’s workspace and less of my treadmill space.  I was kindly told the treadmill was “too distracting” for him to work next to as it was too loud.  I got permanently relocated outside.

When school began again in September, I tested the waters and went to my favorite paved trails. I saw there was a way I could return to them to run.

So, I did.  Three to five miles a day, depending on the kid’s school needs.  It was great.

Except a yearlong lingering pain in my foot increased. Until one day, I pulled up lame and had to walk/limp (2 miles) back to my car.

These days I walk a circular paved trail where my car is always visible if I need to leave with foot pain.  Some days, I let my obnoxious lab obnoxiously drag me around for a mile until she tires out, and then I get to obnoxiously pull her until I finish walking.

A decrease in activity + increased stress eating from zooming with a “stare out the window” learner = a few extra pounds on the scale at my last doctor’s visit.  I am apparently in excellent health, just pounds heavier than I would like to be.

I brought back all that I categorize as “the boring foods.”  The boring foods are working. They’re boring all the extra weight off of me. They are just, you know, boring.

And since October and November turned into “get the appointments scheduled that were put off because of the quarantine,” Declan got his yearly physical too, where his doctor dropped some heavy words into the air:

“Declan, you have gained 30 pounds since last year.”

The doctor, Declan, and I looked at Declan’s growth and development chart.  The dots from previous years were all along a growth curve. 

The 2020 dot loomed high above the curve and stood alone, shocking us all. I knew Declan had gained weight.  I just did not think it was THAT much weight.

Sensory overeating + a pandemic where one does not leave the house = 30 extra unneeded pounds.

Unfortunately, where I can switch to the “boring foods,” Declan doesn’t have one of those lists.  He has a waffle, ramen, and chicken fingers list with a side of fruit and ALL the snacks he can find hidden for the other kids and school lunches throughout the house.

Where I rotate my physical activities, Declan rotates through his newest fixations and YouTube videos.  Physical activity being one of his least favorite activities.

Bloodwork has indicated Declan is a very healthy child, just at a closer risk of developing future health problems if not dealt with now.

Chewy tubes are on hand to provide to Declan after meals to stop unnecessary snacking.  Those who have a significant “sugar tooth” have agreed not to bring candy into the house for little fingers to find and eat.  And as a family, we have all picked a day of the week to engage Declan in physical activity for at least thirty minutes.

We are still in lockdown.  We do not go out for family events or activities often but will start taking Declan to parks and playgrounds to run around and play.  We are also blessed Declan goes to school four days a week where he can only eat the lunch that is packed for him. 

2020 has been a banner year, that is for sure.  In and out of quarantine, in and out of school, in and out of bad eating and exercise habits.

It is still time to not Judgey the Pudgy.  It is also time for this family to take notice of our eating and exercise habits and make some necessary changes.