Shaquille O'Neal's weight hit 415 during the height of the pandemic — up from the 345 he says he weighed while playing for the Lakers.

He's not alone. According to the Health eHeart Study, people gained an average of 1.5 pounds a month, and another study showed that many who were already obese gained 4 or more pounds monthly.

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture wondered how that happened. Their study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, reveals that while folks said they got 4.4% more exercise and 1.5% more sleep (good both good for weight control), that didn't offset the 2.7% increase in the days they drank alcohol and the increased snacking they did. More people also quit smoking, which can lead to (temporary) weight gain.

The good news is that no matter how much you gained or what triggered it, you can regain your strength and energy.

My new book, "The Great Age Reboot," suggests three steps to get you started:

1. Build your medical, social, economic, and educational team. They'll help you negotiate the health-building processes that you are about to embrace.

2. Reboot your approach to food. Write down three foods that may be contributing to your suboptimal health. Then write down a healthy substitute for each one. Then make the switches.

3. Embrace resilience. Restoring your health can be challenging, but don't get hung up on the past. Think forward.

For more support, preorder my upcoming book "The Great Age Reboot," and don't hesitate to send me your questions about reclaiming your health at info@GreatAgeReboot.com.