Man in China Gained 20kg After Eating Instant Noodles for 50 Days Due to Lockdown

If future students ever have to study about 21st century history (which they inevitably will), COVID-19 will definitely take up a chapter on its own, with different countries acting as case studies on how to manage a pandemic that nearly crippled the economy.

China would undoubtedly take one of the spots for their tough zero-COVID-19 strategy which they have employed ruthlessly throughout the entire pandemic, even though most countries had moved on from prevention to damage control, because Omicron and its sub-variants had decided to stick a middle finger to the human immune system—vaccinated or not—with its enhanced transmissibility.

Therefore, it shouldn’t be surprising that quite a few provinces were made to shut its border and hole up until the Omnicron wave passed for good.

Shanghai on Lockdown for Two Months

Shortly after Shenzhen was placed under lockdown, Shanghai, another important capital of trade and commerce, joined the other provinces in the same gruelling fate for two full months.

And China being China, the implemented restrictions were quite draconian and it hampered the citizens’ movement significantly.

When the lockdown finally ended on 1 June, many rejoiced, only to deflate when they realised the unintended consequences they suffered after being cooped up at home for too long.

Shanghai Man Puts on 20kg over 70 Days

For one man in Shanghai, going by the name of Mr Ma in China Press, was honestly caught in a bad situation when the lockdown was suddenly announced across the city.

He had dropped by his new apartment to check on how the renovations were progressing when the city went into lockdown mode.

Completely taken off guard, he was forced to stay in his austere flat for the whole period, which was still in throes of renovation, judging from the various paints and materials strewn everywhere.

Not the most ideal living conditions, but he had to make do.

Since it was too much of a hassle to cook under such conditions, and there was no company around to judge him or complain about unhealthy eating habits, Mr Ma let himself go.

He ate instant noodles “as and when he possibly could”, since it was one of the quickest, easiest, and most convenient food to consume.

Mr Ma estimated that during the 70-day lockdown, he ate instant noodles for 50 of those days.

However, Mr Ma didn’t know how this diet was affecting him until he managed to return to his old home.

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The Unwanted Before And After

Having to face his new reflection shocked him.

Gone were the defined abdominal muscles, slim physique, and toned arms; instead, he was confronted with a much older-looking version of himself, muscles drooping and loose with a protruding belly to boot.

The left image with his cat was taken on 16 March, while the right one was taken on 1 June.

Mr Ma also shared that he weighed around 75kg before the lockdown happened.

But now, his weight was 95.6kg, which indicates that he put on a shocking 20kg in just 70 days.

It’s the direct opposite of those weight-loss advertisements, that’s for sure.

Mr Ma expressed that he was “stunned and shocked” to see his changed self in the mirror… though shouldn’t the inability to fit in your clothes already give away the drastic difference between then and now?

Either way, as staggering as his weight gain might be, it certainly didn’t damage Mr Ma’s self-esteem that much because he could still post a side-by-side comparison of himself online.

No Sympathy For The Negligence

According to NetEase News, the consumption of instant noodles over 50 days wasn’t the only reason for his weight gain.

Reportedly, he had drunk a copious amount of Coca Cola throughout the lockdown—a carbonated beverage which has nine teaspoons of sugar per 12oz –and he didn’t do much beyond eating and sleeping.

Apart from not cooking for himself, he didn’t even bother to clean up his flat or exercise.

His unkempt facial hair is more than enough proof to show how little regard he had for his own body during the lockdown.

Mr Ma simply let himself go, not even bothering to put in a token effort to ensure that he was fit.

Rather than sympathising with his plight, netizens bluntly commented that it wasn’t surprising that he had gained so much weight, especially after learning about his unhealthy lifestyle.

Some were more vicious with their words and said that the “handsome young man” he once was had transformed into an “oily uncle”.

Harsh.

Other netizens were more shocked that he managed to survive on only instant noodles, wondering how he didn’t get sick of the taste after eating it for so many days in a row.

Afterall, instant noodles aren’t the only source of instant food these days—we’ve even branched out to rice, pastas, packaged bread, and salads.

Sure, the strict lockdown is annoying, but it doesn’t mean that Mr Ma was cut off from other food delivery options.

You’re Asian, eat some rice, damn it.

Despite the unexpected weight gain, NetEase News reporters noted that Mr Ma still remained optimistic.

Apparently, he was confident that his “foundation” from working out in the past was still there.

Once the gyms become open to the public again, he’s certain that he could get back in shape in two to three months.

Props to him for getting his priorities back in order, I guess.

Putting on weight during the pandemic due to reduced physical activity isn’t an uncommon trend per se.

Regardless, it’s still important to at least try and maintain a healthy and balanced diet, while finding the time to exercise, even if it’s just a short 30-minute walk around the couch everyday. 

Don’t let your health fall to the wayside because of external circumstances, your health is very important!

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Featured Image: China Press