WHAT has lockdown done to your physique? I know that after almost a full year of restrictions and homeworking I weigh nearly six kilos more! How could I let this happen and, more importantly, what am I going to do about it? Time to get tough on myself!

Early in 2020 I was launching a new business running a pop-up supper club and my first event was looking like a sell-out with 24 diners confirmed and eight more months of venues saying they wanted to work with me. I had spent a lot of my redundancy money to make the new business work and was really excited about the prospects of being really busy but also doing something for myself.

Just before the supper club venture was due to launch, news of coronavirus was spreading fast. One month later came lockdown 1, glumly followed by the rest of the lockdown family! Well, that put paid to all my plans.

Luckily, since lockdown 2 I’ve had a small job working from home, so could generate a bit of income, but it’s not what I was hoping to do - like so many people whose plans and dreams have been dealt a massive blow over the last year.

This explains the weight increase; the stress and pressure of not having a job led to unnecessary snacking - eating crisps like they were going out of fashion and a daily glass or two of something alcoholic, almost as a boredom coping mechanism. Netflix became another bad habit; ask me anything on period dramas and chick flicks, but not how many steps I haven’t done! When you’re not in the right frame of mind, even normally fun things like creating social media food posts became a chore, rather than enjoyment. Exercise became less and less as laziness kicked in. Communication with friends diminished and most of all I missed my children terribly. My normally fairly strict routine was on a steep downward spiral and it’s time to get this into reverse!

Now that the Covid-19 vaccine has become available the future is looking a lot more hopeful and I have made the decision that it’s time for a lifestyle change to undo the damage (self) inflicted during the dark days of lockdown. The mental health boost which I know lies ahead of reconnecting with friends and family is something I really can’t wait for - it’s going to be fantastic.

My diet will now consist of healthy fats, proteins and vegetables and as with most of my food I like to add flavours, but I will be keeping it simple and quick. The majority of meals will be planned to be cooked in the oven, so as to be healthier, and after a lean time in terms of income I will be making sure that I keep a close eye on what I’m spending on food.

Feeling a bit like me? Here’s one of my recipes which I hope will have the double benefit of cheering you up in the preparation, and also be healthy in the eating - enjoy!

This recipe, for tray bake salmon, is quick and easy, you can add almost any vegetable which will cook the same length of time as the salmon. Spice it up with anything you wish, or season and drizzle with olive oil. I have spiced it with a fusion of Indian and Chinese spices. And if you dare, add some fresh red chilli!

Ingredients:

Salmon fillets - fresh or frozen – defrosted

2 tablespoons light soy sauce

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoon ginger, grated

2 teaspoon garlic, minced

1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

1 teaspoon coriander powder

Vegetables of choice – fresh quick cook or frozen

Salt to ram taste

Method:

* Pre-heat over to 170

* Line an oven proof dish with parchment paper

* Mix all ingredients,

* Smother the salmon and vegetables with the mix

* Cook in the oven for 20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked

* Instagram @leedshomecook