I’d say having restaurants and movie theaters and etc., closed for months had more to do with it than dieting Americans. At least from what I can tell from the folks around me, the lockdown didn’t inspire a lot of dieting… 
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Is that really a lot of people? All I hear from friends and family (and reporters on Zoom) is how they are eating more, so now the “Quarantine 15” is a topic of discussion.
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I’m also thinking of all the unused vending machines at businesses now that more people are working from home, or even just staying home during unemployment. Their beverage choices are likely much less restricted.
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I think I’m an outlier. Since there’s fuck-all to do in my off time except for going hiking away from people, I’ve wound up losing about 25 pounds since March - and hiking through a couple pair of shoes, since I’ve probably put in 900 miles since then. The key factor here is that the expectation of face time has fallen off. I no longer have to worry about being the first to leave the office, so I’m spending a lot less time sitting in an office chair trying to look busy.
I never have a weight problem when I have time to hike. That translates to “my fitness level is determined by how the boss’s priorities break down between adding value and running up billables.” There’s still enough daylight for me to log out and put in 5-8 miles after work if I can log out at a normal quitting time - and with remote work, I can.
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Well, the US as a whole doesn’t really do that. In Ohio, apparently, you’re just told to call everyone you’ve been in contact with. Or that was the procedure last week. Maybe it changed again.
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I just read a paper on this: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/obr.13128
As if I needed another motivator to drop that last 15lbs. FFS, I hate this timeline.
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FTFY
(and spelling,too,sorry,I’m one of those)
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We call them “Covid Kilos” here and if my acquaintances are anything to go by…
Hell, who am I kidding. If I’m anything to go by. Less exercise and more food. It’s a winning strategy.
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My weight loss (about 15 pounds) had more to do with moving than any other exercise. I’m still trying to find a balance between “survival meals” (disaster-proof items) and everyday comfort food, with the rare YOLO takeout option thrown in. Also, my alcohol consumption has dropped dramatically now that gatherings with my friends are not in restaurants with a good selection of wine and beer. When we reach the post-pandemic stage, I’ll check out whatever restaurants are left in my new neighborhood - and return my skinny jeans to the back of the closet. 
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Thanks. I feel dumber for having read that. The stupidity and entitlement of these people is simply astounding.
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German term: Corona-Wampe.
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Only the beginning. The culling will be painful.
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But also insufficient.
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And not fairly distributed.
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Remember when we were talking about huge, uncontrolled phase 3 trials?
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I was waiting to hear about the inevitable infections from the RNC; next up, people who attended 45’s speech on the WH lawn.
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“But only if the shots meed required safety and quality standards.” Which, the last I heard, required a Phase 3 trial to establish? This statement strikes me as a load of hot air that changes effective policy - how exxactly?
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Finger’s crossed that Trump is among them. That would be such sweet karmic retribution.
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The lack of specificity regarding safety and efficacy is disturbing. Generally, that would mean they are licensed. Not sure how the “emergency use” part plays out. Any shortcutting of safety and efficacy standards makes my hair (such as it is) stand on end.
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