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N e w Ye a r N e w M e D e bunked

W ri tten b y: M egha n S ampl es

W ei g ht l oss a n d sta ying h ealthy

Lose weight quick! Do these two things before you sleep and lose 10 pounds! Get rid of that quarantine weight!

These headlines are damaging. The “new year new me” mentality is that people try too many schemes that end up making it even harder to lose weight and stay healthy. Society's perception of the ideal weight and health are not mutually exclusive entities. Someone who is overweight could be healthier than someone who is stick thin. A large part of society attributes “thinness” to health, when that is not the case. These harmful stigmas allow false information to spread and hurt people who try these diets or plans. Instead of cutting out carbs or sugar, or trying Keto or other fad diets, focus instead on being healthy.

It is unhealthy to obsessively count calories and worry over food. This year, instead of trying internet fads to lose weight, focus on being healthy, both physically and mentally. Last year was difficult; your body went through an unimaginable amount of stress, and it kept you alive. Instead of tearing yourself down over gaining a few pounds in quarantine, thank your body to keeping you alive and healthy. Eat healthier and notice what you put in your body, but don’t focus on only losing weight.

If you want to stay healthy, do your research on how to balance your diet and exercise from sources based in fact, not fad. Resources such as UCSF Health, can help you to work towards the goal of being healthy.

Even better, focus on loving your body, rather than trying to change it. Body love is a goal that we should all work toward.

C O V I D-19 m isconceptions a nd h o w to stay sa f e

One thing everyone was looking forward to in the new year was the eradication of Covid-19 and being able to go back to how things were before. Even though we have entered a new year, we still must stay safe and protect ourselves and each other. The new year is not a fix-all for the struggles we have had throughout 2020, but it provides a new start to build positivity in our lives and in the lives of others. Especially with teenagers, the misunderstanding is that Covid doesn’t affect you personally. As the next generation, we have a responsibility to work together and make a brighter future for ourselves and those that come after us. As such, we need to listen to science and do our part to help out and make a difference. In order to go on with our lives in a normal way, we need to change our actions now. Here are some ways to stay safe while we work through the pandemic. 1.) Wear your mask. According to the CDC, even though they are uncomfortable, it has been proven that masks slow the spread of Covid. To ensure that we get a normal year, so that seniors can have a prom and graduation and move to college, and that underclassmen learn how to manage high school regularly, we all have to work together to reduce the spread. 2.) Social distance. Do your best to maintain a 6ft distance, as recommended by the CDC guidelines. It is imperative that we stay away from each other to stop the spread. 3.) Stay home when possible. Everyone hated quarantine and not being able to go out. By staying safe now, we can slowly return to normal in the future. 4.) Stay informed. By staying updated and informed, you can help others to do the right thing and help us get back on the right track.

Doing these things will help us as a country to stay safe and healthy so that this goes away like everyone hopes it will. It will take all of us working together to overcome this. Please do your part and help everyone make it through.