• Sharon Osbourne, 68, revealed that she’s gained 10 pounds amid the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Osbourne said she’s trying to create healthier habits by walking.
  • A dietitian explains why gaining weight during stressful times is totally normal.

Sharon Osbourne just got real about a pandemic-related struggle many people are experiencing: weight gain. On Monday’s episode of The Talk, the co-host explained that she’s up 10 pounds from her usual weight.

“Ten pounds is a lot when you’re five-foot-one and a smidge,” Osbourne shared. “So, it’s like a lot of weight.”

While any amount of weight gain can feel like a lot, going up a few pounds during a global pandemic is totally normal, and many are facing a similar situation.

In fact, The Talk co-hosts, including Carrie Ann Inaba, Sheryl Underwood, and Eve, were discussing the topic due to Gayle King’s candid Instagram this week, in which she posted pictures of the number on her scale growing over time. “The weight struggle is real! Fatter than I’ve been in long time,” she wrote in the caption, adding that her healthiest weight, per her doctor, is 12 pounds lighter than where she’s at.

sharon osbourne
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“I think everybody has been in this boat,” Eve added. “It took me a long time to put on jeans... I was like, ‘Somebody switched my jeans.’”

Again, they’re not alone. In a poll of more than 1,000 WebMD readers, nearly half of women and one-quarter of men reported gaining weight “due to coronavirus restrictions.”

According to Keri Gans, R.D.N., a New York City-based dietitian and author of The Small Change Diet, living through such challenging times can set you up for unhealthy habits.

“During a pandemic, there could be many reasons for weight gain, such as a decrease in activity level, craving more comfort foods that may not be the healthiest choice, an increase in drinking alcohol, or snacking more throughout the day because you are working from home,” she says. “Times have definitely been rather stressful since March, and no one should feel badly about weight gain.”

If you find yourself wanting to make a change, Gans says you can start small. “Create a shopping list, whether on-line shopping or in-person, and stick with it,” she says. “Make sure your house is stocked with more healthy foods than not, such as fruits and veggies, 100% whole grains, and lean protein.”

She also recommends finding ways to stay active at home, such as indoor cycling or going for walks when you need a break from your screen. Osbourne explained that she’s actually doing just that. “I started walking yesterday,” she said on the show. “This is it now. I’ve got the bug. I’m on it.”


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Headshot of Nicol Natale
Nicol Natale
Associate Editor

Currently an assistant editor at Prevention.com, Nicol is a Manhattan-based journalist who specializes in health, wellness, beauty, fashion, business, and lifestyle. Her work has appeared in Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Houston Chronicle, Business Insider, INSIDER, Everyday Health, and more. When Nicol isn't writing, she loves trying new workout classes, testing out the latest face mask, and traveling. Follow her on Instagram for the latest on health, wellness, and lifestyle.