Judy Davie has some tips on how to avoid putting on the pounds during lockdown.
"I was sorry to hear that Newcastle has joined Sydney in lockdown," Judy said in an email.
"I write from Sydney's Northern Beaches where after three weeks in lockdown during Christmas and when we were put into lockdown in June, I wrote the program Lighten up in Lockdown.
"I would like to offer it to everyone in Newcastle and surrounding regions who are currently in lockdown and in danger of eating and drinking too much."
She cited research from last year that found 35 per cent of Australians gained weight during lockdown.
"They also drank more alcohol than any other country in the world," she said.
"We are advised to stay at home and be safe during lockdown, but there is no advice about staying at home and taking care of our health."
She cited an article from obesity expert Dr Georgia Rigas, who has highlighted that people who are overweight/obese who acquire COVID-19 have worse health outcomes.
That is, increased morbidity - requiring assisted ventilation - and increased mortality.
They also have a higher risk of acquiring COVID-19 due to an impaired host response and a greater risk for viral shedding, which "suggests the potential for great viral exposure".
Judy says her two-week program is available to download for free. It was created to make planning, shopping and cooking healthy meals easy. It includes meal plans, a live kitchen session on Zoom, recipes, a shopping list, a healthy eating challenge and suggested things to do each week.
The free program is available to download thefoodcoachcourses.com.au/product/lighten-up-in-lockdown/.
Humongous Power Bill
Has your electricity bill been a bit big this winter? Had that heater on a bit too much, perhaps?
Our mother-in-law famously says she puts the heater on only to "take the chill off the air". We do love that saying.
If you tend to cringe at your electricity bills, spare a thought for the Jesmond family who received a whopping bill for $11,163.06.
They had been struggling to make ends meet.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery told us about the bill, after being contacted by the affected family.
"This is a young family on a low income with three autistic children in their care," she said.
"How can they get these bills so wrong and why does the system not throw up a red flag to contact the resident?"
The power company had "estimated" their huge bill.
Sonia said some utility companies had not been doing meter readings during the current COVID-19 lockdown due to health concerns and restrictions.
This has led to a number of customers receiving bills that were "extremely high and out of the ordinary".
"I would encourage residents to check their gas, electricity and water meter and compare it to the figure on your bill."
A Lockdown Joke
A man bought a world map, gave his wife a dart and said, "Throw this. Wherever it lands, I'm taking you there when this pandemic ends."
Turns out, they'll be spending two weeks behind the fridge.
