Ask the Ripped Dude: How Do I Avoid Packing on Unwanted Pounds at Home?

Q: I’m stuck at home all day because of the pandemic, and I’m starting to pack on pounds. How do I reverse this trend?

When you’re stuck at home, it’s easy to feel down. Job loss, social isolation, lack of working out—all can fuel negative feelings that prompt overeating and lead to unwanted weight gain. In 2020, the “quarantine 15” is the new “freshman 15.

The good news is that you can undo the damage relatively quickly. First, ditch the junk food, stat. This includes cookies, ice cream, and anything that is fattening and contains a lot of bad calories. Eating healthfully is critical to preventing putting on extra pounds during this pandemic. So, what should you eat instead? Here’s what should be on your shopping list:

Green vegetables: e.g., broccoli, spinach, asparagus, garden salad
Fruits: e.g., bananas, apples, peaches, apricots, oranges, strawberries
Healthy proteins: e.g., lean turkey, chicken, fish, tofu
Complex carbs: e.g., brown rice, whole grains, beans
Healthy fats: e.g., avocado, almonds, peanuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, pecans, cashews, walnuts, peanut butter, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds

Each meal should incorporate a combination of these sorts of nutritious foods—most of which are delicious, by the way. You’re not sacrificing taste by eating healthfully.

The Couch Is Your Enemy

Along with eating better, you need to stay active, even if you can’t make it to your regular gym—or any gym, for that matter. Rest assured you can stay in shape by exercising at home with minimal equipment. The best workout machine is your own body, so don’t let it sit around collecting dust.

The following workout combines strength and cardiovascular training in one. The only equipment you need is a pair of dumbbells and a chair.

Monday: Lower Body/Legs and Abs Perform the exercises in order, with no rest between exercises and 60 sec. of rest between rounds. Standing Calf Raise 3 sets, 15 reps (no rest) Elbow plank 3 sets, 45 sec (rest 60 sec. ) Tuesday: Upper Body/Shoulders and Back Wednesday: Upper Body/Chest and Arms Thursday: Lower Body/Abs and Legs Perform the exercises in order, with no rest between exercises and 60 sec. of rest between rounds. 3 sets, 25 reps (no rest) 3 sets, 30 sec (rest 60 sec. ) CARDIO CIRCUIT Perform the exercises in order, with as little rest as possible between exercises and 60 sec. of rest between rounds. Shuttle run 4 sets, 25 sec (no rest) Jog In Place 4 sets, 20-30 sec (no rest) Shadow boxing 4 sets, 25 sec (no rest) Jog In Place 4 sets, 20-30 sec (no rest) Mountain climber Perform at a running speed. 4 sets, 25 sec (no rest) Jog In Place 4 sets, 20-30 sec (no rest) High knees 4 sets, 25 sec (no rest) Jog In Place 4 sets, 20-30 sec (no rest) Lateral hop 4 sets, 25 sec (rest 60 sec.)