Having some easy tips for preventing winter weight gain makes it simple to ward off creeping pounds when the weather gets cold. In many cases, women tend to worry a bit less about weight during the winter when they wear more clothing and are covered up. However, once spring comes, many people notice that they’ve put on a few pounds. That doesn’t have to be the case, however, because there are some doable ways to keep the weight off even when the temperature dips.
The best way to keep track of calories in and calories out is to keep a food and exercise journal. Writing down every morsel that is eaten and how much exercise is done holds people accountable, which can make easier to stay on track. This is especially important during the holidays when people attend more parties and generally eat more food.
While it’s important to watch calories during the winter, restricting food intake isn’t a good idea. That can lead to binge eating because deprivation enhances cravings and can reduce willpower. Instead, it’s a good idea to eat a moderate amount of food at regular intervals throughout the day. Foods that contain a healthy mix of fat, protein and carbohydrates are the best because they are filling and satisfy hunger for several hours, cutting down on between meal snacking.
Many people forget to include liquid calories in their daily totals, which can really hinder weight maintenance goals. Soda, juice, cocktails and beer all contain calories and must be included or weight gain is likely.
At the same time, it’s important to get plenty of exercise to counteract the extra calories taken in during the winter. Aiming for at least 30 minutes most days of the week is recommended by health experts. Walking, biking, dancing and swimming are good choices for most people.
Preventing winter weight gain can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Taking care when it comes to meal planning and making time to exercise is all it takes.