Winter Weight Coming Soon?
We all know what happens when winter comes, especially if we live in diverse temperate climates where winter is really winter and summer is really blistering hot at times, like here in my native Ohio. One thing I always think of when winter rolls around is the “inevitable” idea that I will gain a few pounds. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I pack on twenty pounds every winter, but I do noticeably put more on than I typically do in the summer due to a combination of factors, all within my control although I like to pretend some are not and delude myself.
On of the factors is the fact that it’s cold outside, and you can’t really go outside without coming right back in. This may limit the exercise option pool for some, especially for those that don’t like to exercise indoors and are really the outdoorsy types who will only do outdoor activities. Well, I hate to break it to people like that, but either you need to move to a more temperate, even climate or you need to start taking up indoor activities or winter weight gain will always be inevitable for you unless you have the willpower of a model and can consume way less food to make up for the lack of activity.
Another factor in winter weight gain for most is the fact that the holidays turn into months of gorging for many. Myself included, don’t think I don’t also put myself in that category. I talk to so many people who feel like although there is really only two holidays between November and December, they find that they somehow are in a three month carte blanche to eat whatever they feel like since there is so much good food around as temptations that they can’t help themselvs.
I know what this is like, especially working in an office environment where everyone and their brother seems to be bringing in cookies, candies and sweets and other fattening goodies that are way too tempting for a coupld of months in the winter. You just have to learn how to set the day’s tone by eating a big, healthy breakfast and if you do have one of those naughty indulgences, keep it at one or two and don’t let it make you ruin your whole day of eating as so many of us are guilty of.
Also, it may help if you can have a partner in your eating and exercising “pact” for the winter. You can encourage one another to eat right and eat less of the junk that packs on the pounds, and you can also go with eachother and/or motivate one another to excercise and pick the best elliptical machine or whatever else tickles your fancy as you indoor exercise regimen. I prefer the elliptical myself – it’s more fun than a treadmill!