EDMONTON — Experts are encouraging people who have experienced weight gain during the pandemic to love themselves again, at whatever size they are.

“It’s been extremely stressful, and we should have some signs of stress during a global crisis,” said Tara Boothby, a registered psychologist. “It’s just a normal reaction and gaining weight is just one of those symptoms that somebody could have.”

She added the pandemic has impacted people’s adrenal abilities, which can result in a slower metabolism.

“We were soothing our emotional anguish by eating,” said Boothby. “Men and women, anybody that has gained weight during COVID has noticed it, and it’s a hardship.

“The difficulty with body positivity is that we have expectations for ourselves and if we are not sitting in the body that we’re comfortable with, it’s really hard to adopt an attitude of body positivity.”

As people prepare to go back to the office, they might be surprised by the fact that the clothes they have don’t fit anymore, according to a local fashion writer.

“Emotionally I do not look the same I did a year and a half ago, why would I expect my body to look the same physically? What an unfair expectation to put on myself,” said Marielle Terhart, a local fashion writer and photographer who has written for Vogue.

“Be gentle with your body and gentle with yourself as you go through the process of getting clothing again.”

The process of people coming to terms with the weight they might have gained is important and can take different forms, according to Boothby.

“People can feel really good about themselves when they’ve embraced the weight that they are,” said Boothby. “If I don’t feel good at the weight that I’m at, then… I should figure out, what do I want to do about this so that I’m comfortable in my own skin.

“When we think of… loving ourselves through this difficult time, it’s OK to buy clothing that is a bit looser so you can feel good about what you’re wearing.”

Terhart, who focuses on size inclusion in her work, wants people to examine their priorities when they think about how to deal with their changed bodies.

“You are not a better person if you are a smaller size,” said Terhart. “Is losing weight the most important thing I need to be doing, is radically changing my body, sometimes when my body doesn’t even want to be a smaller size, necessary?

“Making people understand that this is a universal experience and not a personal failure is so important.”

For people who are looking to get into healthier habits, Boothby suggests finding a “positive accountability partner,” and to remember that the pandemic stress isn’t over yet.

“Finding a balanced approach that is measurable and manageable for you, what can you do, sizable goals,” said Boothby.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Touria Izri  

EDMONTON — The number of Albertans in hospital and intensive care units due to COVID-19 rose to a seven-week high on Tuesday, according to the province’s latest data. 

The province reported 176 COVID-19 patients in hospital, up nine from Monday’s adjusted total.

There are 44 Albertans receiving coronavirus care in ICUs, an increase of one.

Both totals are the highest since the last week of June.

Alberta reported 407 new infections, with a positivity rate of 7.51 per cent based on about 5,500 tests. Since July 29, testing has been recommended only for those with symptoms. 

Active cases are now at 5,627, their highest mark since early June.

Among eligible Albertans, 76.9 per cent have now received a first dose of vaccine and 68.0 per cent have had two doses.

Of the new cases, 74 per cent were unvaccinated, 17 per cent were fully vaccinated and nine per cent were partially vaccinated, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw tweeted. 

The next data update is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

EDMONTON — Drivers who use Yellowhead Trail may need to adjust their commute as the city is introducing some permanent and temporary road closures as the Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion Program continues.

Edmonton is revamping parts of the Yellowhead Trail with some areas seeing additional lanes and some intersections being removed or modified.

As part of the project, access to Yellowhead Trail will be permanently closed at 142 Street, south of Yellowhead Trail, on Wednesday.

“Motorists can continue to access Yellowhead Trail using 118 Avenue or 123 Avenue to 156 Street, and 118 Avenue to St. Albert Trail,” said Derek Logan with the city in a news release.

In addition to the permanent closure, 142 Street will be closed between Yellowhead Trail and 124 Avenue for around eight weeks, according to the city. Traffic will detour on 124 Avenue or 123 Avenue.

Other intersections being closed include 149 Street and 124 Street. Interchanges at 121 Street, St. Albert Trail and Victoria Trail are also slated to be modified.

EDMONTON — Police are investigating after a Facebook marketplace sale went wrong Monday evening and left a male with non-life threatening injuries.

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) says officers responded at 5:47 p.m. to reports of a stabbing in the area of Watt Boulevard and 60 Street S.W. in the southeast neighbourhood of Walker.

Investigation into the incident revealed that a male had arranged to meet with another person to sell an iPhone off of Facebook marketplace.

According to police, the buyer attempted to grab the phone, igniting an altercation. The seller was stabbed and sustained non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect, believed to be a young adult man is not in police custody, EPS say.

Officers from the southeast division are being assisted by detectives with the investigative response team, police add.

Police are reminding Edmontonians that there is a safe exchange zone completely covered by surveillance cameras at the southwest division station for people contemplating online exchanges.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. 

EDMONTON — The worry on Sudaba Ibrahimi’s face is clear as more news from Afghanistan emerges.

Her brother, sister, and many family members remain in the country as the Taliban establish control.

She says that since her brother works in government he is already being threatened by the Taliban.

The worst part for Ibrahimi is knowing that ways out of the country are closing.

“Right now everywhere’s closed because of the Taliban,” she said. “Every border, every airport, everything is closed.

“I am glad that I am safe,” she added. “I also feel guilty about why I am not there with my family.”

Mohmmad Sana left Afghanistan with much of his family 25 years ago when the Taliban ruled the country. He fears that history will repeat itself.

“(I’m) very sad right now because I’m not sleeping,” he said. “I’ve seen before (that the) Taliban is very tough, you know, and bothering the people too much and killing people every day.”

His sister is a doctor there and says they were ordered to stay at home for the next few days.

“She feels very bad because she is crying right now saying, ‘What’s going on for my children, my family,’” Sana said.

Sana told CTV News how he has been calling his sister for the past two days, sometimes every half an hour to stay in touch.

“She is worried,” he said. “It’s very hard for them.

“I am so nervous about my sister and also for all Afghan people,” he added.

‘IT IS UNBELIEVABLE’

Nafissa Aktary shared how she grew up in the golden age of Afghanistan before the Soviet Union’s invasion started in December of 1979.

“It’s very, very difficult for me,” she said. “All the girls (then), they had the opportunity to go to school, to go to university, to have the jobs they wanted.”

Aktary described how she secured a scholarship to study abroad in England.

“When you see now the situation that the girls and women are in, they don’t have the most basic rights,” she added. “It’s very hard to see.

“It’s a very hectic time and it’s painful to see your people just running for their lives.”

Aktary returned to Afghanistan after completing her studies and said she could not believe how much the country had changed during the Soviet invasion.

“I fled,” she said. “It may not have been the Taliban, but I left.

“My family lost everything,” she added. “Now is even worse than that time of the Russian invasion.”

Her daughter Sarah added that she has heard friends in the Afghan-Edmonton community saying their own families are fearing for their lives or going into hiding.

“That sense of hope or independence that they once had is now taken,” Sarah said. “It is quite heart-shattering to come to terms with that.

“This is real life somewhere in the world. It is unbelievable, truly.”

Sarah said the worst part of the current situation is that many people believe it is nothing new for Afghanistan.

“It’s almost like there is a desensitization because whenever you think of Afghanistan, you think of war. It’s always been at war. Like isn’t this the same thing that is happening?

“But no. There was a golden age. There was a time where it was prosperous and doing well. There was fashion. Women were a huge part of society.”

For Aktary, the last few days have been nothing short of difficult.

“To see this situation is heartbreaking,” she said. “We are hoping for maybe something better.

“Our hearts are aching for everyone that is there.” 

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson