Lockdown and Weight Gain

Apparently half of us have put on weight in the various lockdowns. That means half of my readers might welcome me gently opening up the subject.

When Millie, our Pom-chi guard dog, arrived early last year the big bonus was, with all the extra walking, me losing half a stone. Until one day, on our usual route march, I looked round to find her sat down on the dusty grass a long way back. She told me very clearly that if I continued to wear her down in this way, I’d have to start carrying her. Half an hour a day, the book says; we were giving her four times that much. Apart from that she’s trained us well; a bit too well; we’re having to watch her weight now. She put on a pound last month. With her, every ounce counts.

So my weight has been pretty constant this last six months. My wife who mostly knows what’s best says we should weigh ourselves once a week, not every day. I weigh myself every morning. It keeps me focused. I know what I ate the day before, that glass of wine, that extra piece of cheese. My problem is, like so many of us, I enjoy food and drink. But I also know that for most of us, there’s only one way to lose weight; eat less, eat better, cut back on the drinking. (That’s actually three ways.)

Last week I lost two pounds; it’s been a long time coming but I managed it; this week I’m in sight of losing another pound. So today, no chocolate, no biscuits, no glass of wine or whisky, no promises on the cheese though. Also I’m doing most of the cooking right now so I can be attentive to what I’m preparing. I’ve used 2 pots of double cream this week so I’m not depriving us. Double cream does appear to be the secret ingredient that makes some of my offerings rather special; that and liberal use of red wine or Vermouth.

This blog probably isn’t helping you if you’re struggling with your weight. So this is my advice: be kind to yourself; small baby steps, less sugar, less alcohol, less carbs, more fruit and veg. BBC Food have some excellent notes on losing weight in lockdown, and beyond. Let me know if you need the link.

I have to go now; Anita just returned from the shops with a fresh cheese scone which she has generously buttered.

Before I do go, in my prayer hunting I came across this lovely Celtic blessing; for anyone feeling low or discouraged right now. Take heart, we will some day, come what may be back together again.

May the blessing of light be on you – light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you like a great peat fire,
so that stranger and friend may come and warm himself at it.
And may light shine out of the two eyes of you,
like a candle set in the window of a house,
bidding the wanderer come in out of the storm.
And may the blessing of the rain be on you,
may it beat upon your spirit and wash it fair and clean,
and leave there a shining pool where the blue of Heaven shines,
and sometimes a star.