During the Pandemic, Weight Gain is Up and Fitness is Down

It’s been a whirlwind year, and a recent survey highlights the physical and mental toll it’s having on many Americans. During the pandemic, weight gain is up and fitness is down. But there is a bright side.

The Study

The survey was commissioned by a sports nutrition company called Optimum Nutrition. From the study:

• 62% of Americans reported feeling cornered about the overall health
• 63% of Americans also reported that they are less active than they want to be
• 51% are exercising less than before the pandemic
• 45% report weight gain
• 42% report worsened eating habits
• 85% report barriers to getting healthier, including lack of motivation, finances, or access to equipment and training
• 66% of those surveyed reported feeling more stressed and anxious than before the pandemic

Those are grim statistics, but one number is much more optimistic. A full 86% of participants surveyed reported that the pandemic could trigger improvements in their lives. That’s because people are finding that they’re more resilient than they knew, and they’re resolving to grow and improve as a result of this experience.

It’s an admirable perspective. At Framework Personal Training here in Reno, we understand the challenges people are currently facing. And we encourage people to prioritize fitness for their physical and mental health. It’s not easy, but the benefits are worth it. Recently, we’ve shared posts designed to help people navigate fitness during the pandemic. Here’s a round up of helpful posts:

• Three Obstacles to Fitness – And How to Manage Them
• Here’s Why Everyone Should be Stretching Regularly
• Prioritizing Fitness During the Pandemic
• Six Steps for Getting Back to the Gym After COVID-19 Closures
• The Single Most Effective Way to Manage Anxiety During Self Isolation
• 3 Reasons Fitness Matters During the Pandemic
• Posture and Physical Health During Self Isolation
• Exercising Safely Outside During Self Quarantine
• Yes, Exercise Boosts the Immune System
• The Importance of Exercise During Self-Isolation

Next Steps

For many of us, the first step is the hardest. If you’re ready to take control of your health and you need some assistance, we invite you to contact us today. Consistent exercise has an enormous positive influence not only on your health, but your state of mind. It’s harder during the pandemic, but it’s more important than ever. Let’s get started.