In winter, the urge to hibernate, sink into the couch with a packet of biscuits and a large cup of hot chocolate is irresistible. You may have found yourself skipping the gym because you are tired and cold after work and want to snuggle up with some hearty stew and some red wine in front of a fire.
And that is how it all starts, before you know it, six months down the line and all the sins of winter feasting, combined with the dent you have made in the couch have come full circle to greet you. The pain and suffering you now face to get your body back into that bikini feels insurmountable, and you wish you had stuck to your gym program in the depths of winter. Here are some quick and easy tips on how to avoid weight gain in winter.
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1. Weigh Yourself Once a Week
This is not about being obsessed about your weight, nor is it necessarily about losing weight, but it’s about keeping track of your current weight. As soon as the numbers start climbing, you will be able to reign yourself in a bit. And the chances of that extra few pounds creeping up on you will be much more difficult. And keep a record of your measurements, but only do that once a month, otherwise you will go crazy.
2. The 80/20 Rule
Winter is all about mashed potatoes, roast, thick toffee pudding, red wine, and carbs in any shape or form. And, it is really not fair to deprive ourselves completely. By sticking to the 80/20 rule, we can indulge in moderation. Eat properly 80 % of the time, stick to your meal plan, and don’t overeat, don’t skip meals and make sure your menu is healthy. But then 20% of time, just relax a little, have pudding, a second helping of mashed potatoes and another hot chocolate. You can split that up into eating healthy during the week and letting your hair down on the weekend, you will find that you are still able to manage your weight effectively.
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3. Exercise
At the end of the day we all know that maintaining a healthy weight means a regular combination of diet and exercise. And, we all know how hard it is to pluck up the courage to get to the gym when it’s cold, miserable and dark outside. But we all know just how great we feel afterwards, but perhaps we need to change our routine a bit. If we just did a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week, according to health professionals, that is enough to maintain a healthy weight. And, actually on the days you don’t feel like working out are the days you will have your best one yet. Why not try Bikram Yoga to keep you warm and fit, or join a dance or Pilates class? It’s not all about the boring treadmill and sit-ups you know.
