Let's Talk About the "Quarantine 15"
If you’re worried about the “quarantine 15” (aka gaining weight while sheltering in place from the pandemic), I see you and I hear you. Fear about weight gain is a very real experience when we live in a fatphobic, diet-oriented culture. It’s only natural that we turn our attention to something we perceive to have control over (e.g., our body weight) in times where the future is uncertain and our daily lives have changed dramatically.
Let’s explore the fear of the “quarantine 15” a little deeper. What is the fear of weight gain really about??
Are you afraid that you’re losing control over your life, decision-making, space, and privacy?
Do you perceive body changes or clothes fitting differently as signs of personal failure?
Are you afraid that emotionally-driven eating is a sign of weakness or a lack of coping skills?
Do you fear that weight gain will make you less attractive or less loveable?
I hold space for all of your concerns and fears. It’s really tough living in a society where we get messages all day long that smaller bodies are worthier bodies. This is simply not true. All bodies are worthy bodies. It’s normal to experience appetite changes when going through stressful experiences like a pandemic. It’s normal that we turn to food for comfort as adults because that’s how we were comforted as babies. It’s normal to feel scared about aging and body changes in a culture that values youth and thinness. Healing negative body image is difficult, and is even more challenging during times of great stress.
I invite you to consider your fear of the “quarantine 15” from a different perspective- the perspective of body respect. Body respect involves caring for all aspects of our beings/bodies to the best of our ability. Body respect is about honoring the wisdom of our body by listening to our body’s cues, treating ourselves with kindness and self-compassion, and meeting our body’s needs. Body respect is about abundance, nurturance, and caring. You have needs. Your needs are valid. Your needs are worth attending to.
Let me give you some examples in order to illustrate how we can shift from a fear-based perspective to a body respect perspective:
FEAR- I’m stress eating all the “junk” food in the house. Why can’t I just stop stress eating?
BODY RESPECT- I’ve noticed that I’m more stressed than usual and that my first response has been to eat ice cream and cookies. The first couple of bites taste really good but then I feel overly full and lethargic. I’m going to practice pausing when I feel stressed and asking myself what I need in the moment.
FEAR- I have to exercise every day for at least an hour or I’m going to gain the quarantine 15.
BODY RESPECT- I enjoy having some “me time” and getting some fresh air. I will plan to take a walk in my neighborhood when I feel like I want to move my body.
You may have noticed several differences in the body respect perspective compared to the fear-based perspective: 1) non-judgmental awareness of thoughts, feelings, and body cues; 2) kind rather than critical self-talk; and 3) acting from a place of self-care rather than self-control/obligation.
I encourage you to get curious about your thoughts and fears about the “quarantine 15.” Consider shifting your thoughts toward the body respect perspective. What can you do to take care of yourself today??
Nicole
Photo by Alan Hardman (@alanaktion) via Unsplash