No products in the cart.
Blog
*H E A L T H* : THE SECRET TO KEEPING A HEALTHY WEIGHT DURING THE COLD SEASON
17
Nov
Nov
If you haven’t noticed, it is officially fall. There are certain things that the cold does to you, which you may or may not have noticed. For one, your mood might be a bit erratic. You might feel a lack of energy and be easily irritated, thus it is natural for many people to resign into their beds with a bowl of sweet, lazy delicious fast food. Our most common craving is the simple carbohydrates: food that includes a lot of sugar, flour (for example, cakes and cookies), which we know puts us at a higher risk of obesity and actually increases our appetite due to the rapid disintegration of the ingredients in our digestive systems.
Not to worry though! We have some solutions to help you avoid the extra pounds.
FOOD HABITS
It is important to remember that seasons change. Fall is repeated every year in this part of the world. Getting rid of bad habits and getting into the mentality of pursuing good habits will create a different reality than the one we are used to (wrapped in a heat blanket as the world descends into the dead of winter). Mind over matter. Envision yourself maintaining a balanced diet throughout the colder seasons. Embrace the prime time of hot dishes. Incorporate whole grains (buckwheat, quinoa, bulgur wheat) and legumes (lentils, beans, peas, Paul, chickpeas) and combine these with cooked vegetables, preferably steamed or stir-fried. Don’t forget to integrate your proteins! Grab some fish, chicken, beef or tofu and mix it up. Choose healthy oils (avocado, tahini, olive oil and canola oil) to cook with, and for dessert, try some fruits to satisfy the sweet cravings.
DRINKING HABITS
Don’t forget to drink–water! During the winter, there is a lesser desire to drink water, as our body tries to retain the heat and liquids unlike the sweaty summers. We don’t feel as thirsty, but cold weather actually presents the perfect scenario for a warm cup of minty tea, verbena and lime. Avoid adding sugar, honey is a great alternative for sweetening. Not drinking enough water makes the body want more food. Burn off the excess calories and stay physically fit but continuing your workout regime even if you are not holding a gym membership. Just dress warmer and get some squats going. It doesn’t have to be as rigorous as before, but it certainly will make you feel more productive and motivated. Remember: the hardest part about getting into a healthy cycle is getting started. One push is all it takes.
SHARE THE PAIN, SHARE THE GAIN
We have to be realistic. This is not always the best time to be pushing weight loss, but instead, to retain good exercise habits to plow through the winter. Get a dose of activity every day. Try not to be tempted to postpone all the work until after the winter, because I guarantee it will be so much harder to pick up the pace. If you’re having trouble building a solid schedule or following it, keep a diary or have a friend or coach to help you keep track of how you are performing. Write down what you have been eating, if you feel that you are going downhill with the guilty pleasures, share your concerns with a dietician or consult a friend and take beneficial diet steps together. Running or having a meal with a friend is more fun than doing it alone.
Good luck to everyone and happy November!
