Summer is coming!
With shorter days and dreary cold weather, there is no doubt the winter months can be challenging when it comes to managing what we eat.
The good news is there are things we can do to keep fit and healthy during this period, to avoid winter weight gain and the subsequent ‘blues’ which are associated with this.
These top tips have definitely helped me and many of my clients to stay motivated during these trying months and played a big part in my own weight loss journey.
1. Make warm, hearty meals
Winter is a great time to enjoy warmer, heartier meals, but they don't necessarily need to be heavier. Make thick vegetable soups or stews with a tomato base sauce; Substitute the cream with some natural yoghurt. Soups and stews also freeze well, so it’s a good idea to have portion-sized meals on hand.
2. Combat cold weather cravings
Sip on herbal tea (often we think we are hungry, but we are actually dehydrated) and have healthy snacks readily available. Don’t forget about those fruits that are delicious when cooked. You can bake or poach pears, plums, rhubarb and apples. My favourite is poached pears, cooked with Cinnamon and served with a dollop of vanilla yogurt and a sprinkle of almonds.
3. Exercise at home
Mental strength and discipline is hugely important in this scenario! Look at various options for exercising indoors like yoga, barre attack, Pilates or Hiit sessions. These days there are so many classes available online. Remember you are only one workout away from a good mood. Thinking about how great you'll feel afterwards is helpful, as is laying out your exercise clothes to help motivate you to get moving.
4. Don't wear baggy clothes
Be careful of living in your trackies! Sure you may be able to hide a couple of extra kilos under all the layers, but you can't hide from the lowered immunity, high cholesterol, sugar levels, and increased risk of chronic disease that those added kilos can result in. Remember, putting on weight in winter means it will just be harder come summer. Bottom line: Keep wearing your jeans!
5. Don't skip meals
It is so important to eat regularly throughout the day so that you don’t become inclined to overeat at meal times. Skipping meals is NOT the way to lose weight. It can actually have the opposite effect by causing your metabolism to slow down which can cause weight gain. Infrequent eating can also cause low blood sugar levels which can lead to fatigue, weakness and dizziness.
6. Prioitise and make the time
We always make time for things that are important to us, whether it’s spending time with friends or family, work commitments, exercise or preparing a healthy meal. Gandhi summed it up well when he said: “Action expresses priorities”. Put simply, what you do is more important than what you say. If you want to be healthier, slimmer and fitter, prioritise your health and say no to things that may stand in your way of achieving this.
7. Revisit your 'Why'
It's always great to revisit your ‘WHY’. Dig deep, put pen to paper, and write your list of what you will gain by committing to your healthly lifestyle. When lacking motivation read this regularly, set your intentions, stay disciplined and refer back to those famous three little words and ‘JUST DO IT’.
Losing weight during the winter months may seem challenging, but with these tips you can be sure to avoid excess weight gain while staying fit and healthy.
To your health and happiness!
