Dec 3, 2010 Megan Kelly
Stay fit in the winter. - lisasolonynko and MorgueFile
For some people, gaining weight during the winter time seems almost inevitable. Although it may be necessary for some people to provide themselves with a bit of extra insulation during the coldest, darkest months of the year, most people are able to keep themselves warm by bundling up and keeping active.
It might not be as easy to lose weight in the winter due to mobility and weather issues, but there are still several things you can do to keep those extra pounds from creeping up on you.
Keep Your Portions Reasonable
Although it may be tempting to load up on plates and plates of warm comfort food, it's important not to compromise your weight maintenance goals by over-doing it at the dinner table. Keep a healthy diet and load up on the things that matter: vegetables, fruits, lean meats and vitamin-d rich foods. Keeping your diet healthy and making sure you don't dish up more than your fair share is a good step toward keeping extra pounds from appearing around your waistline.
Turn Daily Activities into Chances for Exercise
It may be more difficult to get outside and get your day's worth of exercise when you are experiencing below-zero weather and piles of snow, but that doesn't mean you can't get in some activities that will get your heart beating. If you should the driveway, plug in some headphones and try to shovel to the beat of a fast-paced song. Not only will this make an unpleasant chore more fun, but it will get your heart beating at a higher rate than shoveling at a regular pace.
If you don't have any chore-like duties, you can still get your daily exercise in with winter sports. Join a cross-country skiing club, or strap on some snow shoes and go for a walk through the park. These activities are a great way to get your muscles moving and see the beauty of a snow-covered nature area.
Join a Gym
If, for some reason, you are unable to get outside for your daily exercise, you may find it beneficial to join a gym or a health club where you can take advantage of exercise machines, weight-training machines and other forms of recreational sports. You may even find a fitness class that interests you that will keep you coming back to the gym on a regular basis.
Sleep Well
One of the most important ways to keep your weight stable is to get your body into a good sleep cycle. Try to get to bed slightly earlier than usual so you can wake up to enjoy more daylight, especially when the days begin to get shorter as the winter progresses. Keeping yourself well-rested will give you the energy you need to make good choices and stay active for a longer period of time.
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