2020 was largely reduced to a meme, one that encapsulated the turmoil caused by the global pandemic, not just to businesses and our social lives, but to our waistlines, too. The “lockdown-15” as it was dubbed was a nod to the weight gain many experienced during lockdown, a period of time where social distancing restrictions saw gyms close up shop and even exercise reduced to the indoor realm. Then, when we could eventually move outdoors, we were limited to a confined radius and one hour increments only. Safe to say, it did little to inspire and keep us moving.
It seems even our stars weren’t immune to the consequences of lockdown. Recently, radio star and TV presenter Andy Lee revealed that he struggled with the lockdown weight gain. In an interview with Body and Soul, The Cube presenter shared that he often works out with his partner, Rebecca Harding. “She has me using bum bands, which have my glutes aching for days. We like going to Pilates and I occasionally agree to embarrass myself with yoga,” he said.
Speaking about the Melbourne lockdown, Andy revealed, “Exercise helped a lot. When pubs were closed in lockdown, I lost 7kg. Pubs have opened up and I have found those 7kg.”
Some of his favourite forms of exercise include golf and field hockey, which Andy still plays. He also said he loves doing some HIIT training with Bec, including one session the pair call the “Deck of Cards.” Explaining it to the publication, he said: “You take a full pack of cards and assign an exercise to each suit: hearts = push-ups; spade = sit-ups; clubs = squats, etc. You then shuffle and turn over a card. Eight of spades means you’ve got to do eight sit-ups. You keep going until you complete the pack. It turns out to be about 100 reps of each.”
He added, “Bec insists on me keeping the joker cards, but they’re meant to earn you 20 burpees. I’ve lost the joker cards and have zero regret.”
But as far as alcohol intake is concerned, Andy has scaled things back significantly. He told the publication that these days he doesn’t drink too much, but that “when it comes to hangovers, I take the mind-over-matter approach and just attack the day. I reckon once you hit the couch or stay in bed, it’s all over.”
Sharing the advice he’d wished he’d known sooner, Andy said that as far as health and wellness is concerned, “It’s less about exercise and more about diet. Which is really disappointing.”
We hear you on that one, Andy.