Winter Weight- Is that Even a Thing?
Being cooped up all winter can result in extra pounds from boredom eating due to the inability to be out and about…
Winter weight gain is somewhat normal and while it is somewhat acceptable to gain extra weight in the colder months, too much poundage may take longer to work off when warm weather finally hits.
Winter can be challenging when it comes to maintaining, or especially losing weight. The days get shorter, the nights longer and all you want to do is sit in a comfortable chair next to the fireplace with a rich cup of hot cocoa.
But if you can be mindful of a few small tips, you might just be able to avoid what many consider to be the inevitable.
Outdoor workouts?
Basically, there are just limited outdoor activities that you can do if you live in harsh winter climates. Indoor exercise can be boring and stagnant to many people, so it becomes looked upon as a chore in comparison to outdoor exercising which makes you feel healthier.
Northerners have great snow and ice skills, why not be sure to go ice skating or skiing or snowboarding all throughout the winter? To maintain that physical activity and burning off of your caloric intake. This is a great way to keep your body weight down, maintain your current level.
Or if the weather is severe and doesn’t allow you the ability to commute to outdoor activities… Then your home must become your gym.
And how about indoor workouts?
It’s all about incorporating indoor workouts that you actually enjoy. If you have a workout machine, i.e. a treadmill, elliptical or Bowflex, use it.
Even if it’s not that exciting, it’s just for the time being and it’ll give you that physical activity you need.
There are so many YouTube channels that focus on cardio and workouts… You could essentially find a different workout every day. Whether we’re talking about floor workouts or Zumba… Anything is Possible on YouTube.
Or there are many apps that involve workouts with built-in timers and schedules and reminders. If you truly want to stay healthy during these winter months there are many ways to do so. But you must be proactively searching for them as well as consistently performing them.
There isn’t too much you can do to change the fact that you’ll have to move your routine inside. But what you can do is make the most of it.
You can continue your usual workout times whether it’s frequency or length or cut your workout time in half just by varying its intensity.
Switch back and forth between shorts bursts of high aerobic exercise that really gets you huffing and rest periods where you just calm it down.
And your food choices?
Next, pay attention to what you’re eating. The quality of the food you’re eating, but also savoring the flavor. The more that you consciously eat, undistracted, the less you will eat.
Not just what you are eating every day, but how it looks, smells and tastes in your mouth. If you can enjoy your meals and snacks rather than just wolfing them down, you will feel fuller and more satisfied.
Of course, this all goes along with trying to stick to a healthy diet and pattern. A good rule of thumb is to eat 2-3 moderate meals each day and two healthy snacks. Stick to fruit, vegetables, lean meat, whole grain and fiber-rich foods. Eat nuts and cheese for snacks instead of sweets or processed foods.
Also, identify any eating patterns. If you’ve always gained weight in the winter, try to figure out why. If you know why, do something to alter that pattern. As mentioned, many people eat out of boredom. Try a new hobby or take up a class.
Is intermittent fasting a good idea?
As I’ve mentioned many times before, I’m a great believer in intermittent fasting. And this would be a great diet plan to utilize through the winter months. Due to the fact that there is no restriction on food, eliminating of any food groups in particular.
It’s just the length of time that food is consumed during the hours of the day. This would work out great, due to the excess foods that are eaten in the evening, due to parties and gatherings around this time of year.
Big holiday times occur during the winter and this might be the biggest culprit of all when it comes to winter weight gain. If you’re cooking for the holidays, make sure you keep raw vegetables nearby to snack on and also serve healthy dishes as alternatives.
If you’re a guest at many parties, try to go for the healthy choices first. And then the not-so healthy splurges.
Buddying up with a partner or joining some sort of support group can help too. It’s much easier to stick to your initiatives when you’re held responsible by someone else who is going for the same goals.
Here’s My Recommendation Of A Diet Plan to Kick start Fat burning
The bottom line.
Finally, remember that winter weight gain is perfectly normal, in the sense that it happens. But it doesn’t necessarily have to happen.
If you are conscious of your eating habits and physical activities, you can maintain your healthy body weight all year round. A healthy lifestyle and healthy weight is all about conscious effort and monitoring.
It’s not about obsessing over it… But the only way to make sure something is in proper condition is to monitor it.
The same way that we don’t obsess over our cars, but yet we still maintain them. We don’t obsess over our homes, but we still maintain them.
So our health is no different.
We must monitor and maintain all aspects of our house including body weight and physical activity no matter the season.
While you don’t want to be packing on the pounds, don’t get worked up over a couple of extra ones. These can be lost almost as easily as they were taken on, as long as you catch it early… as in under 8-9 lbs of weight gain. That’s an amount of weight that can easily be taken off, rather quickly and easily with proper focus and motivation.
Leave a Reply