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‘I’ve gained 9kgs since lockdown – and this is how I feel about it’

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Woman on scale (PHOTO: Getty/Gallo Images)
Woman on scale (PHOTO: Getty/Gallo Images)

Many people have been following different exercise routines since the lockdown started as they have more time on their hands. Under level 4, the government announced that people are allowed to jog or exercise within a 5km radius of their homes between 6am and 9am.

Read more: Being safe while training outdoors

However, not everyone is taking part in lockdown trends or challenges. Some people are focusing their energies on what they feel matters the most now.

Like 30-year-old Lelokuhle Mayisela from Gugulethu who says she’s gained a lot of weight during lockdown and is no rush to lose it.

“At first, when I started seeing that I’m picking up weight, I panicked. I found myself trying out a different workout routine almost every day. I wasn’t an active person before lockdown, but I did my fair share of moving around. I’m a teacher at a creche and the kids always kept me busy. I don’t even move around anymore because of this lockdown. The most I will do is go to the nearby mall which is less than a 10-minute walk from my house.”

Lelokuhle says she has been in a slump since the lockdown started on 27 March. She knew that not going to work would affect her in a negative way as online learning isn’t for creche kids and the money she was earning was enough to sustain her and her child.

“A lot of the parents offered to pay for their children’s fees for the next month or two after lockdown was announced. I was grateful but I knew it wasn’t going to be enough. I started eating a lot because I was stressed. I bought a lot of fatty foods because it’s cheaper. My son started joking about my weight, saying that I had gained a lot. I decided to step on the scale and that’s when I saw that I had gained 9kg. I used the scale at random times before but now that I compare it to the last time I weighed myself, I didn’t believe it,” she explains.

The lockdown has brought about a certain level of pressure for people to try new things. Whether it’s cooking new dishes or learning how to do your own hair, not everyone has fallen victim to this pressure and Lelokuhle says she is content with herself regardless.

“It sounds like a lot of weight but it’s the result of my problems right now. I will deal with it once I have a solution. Making money is important and I don’t plan on sitting around doing nothing. The lockdown has given me time to find other ways of making money. I’m really good at doing hair and I’m hoping to work on that soon.

“I am scared every time I go outside and for our safety, I hope the lockdown lasts longer,” she adds.

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