Winter is everyone’s season. After all, what’s not to like? The season is conducive for sleeping and having sex. The season is perfect to have holiday gatherings. You get to see you most beloved people at this time of the month. The food is abundant. Bonuses are given. And of course, the ambiance is festive wherever you go.
Oh, wait, before we talk nonstop about how perfect the winter season is. Let us be reminded that this is also the season for weight gain. Yes, during this season, you will most likely get fat, and the worst thing about it is that you can’t stop it. Or so you think.
The truth is, there are plenty of ways on how you can ward off the dreaded weight gain. Here are some of them:
1. Plan Your Carb Consumption Wisely.
During winter, carbs are everywhere, and as we all know, we have been told time and time again that carbs are a no-no when you want to lose weight. However, cutting out carbs will bring your serotonin levels down which will cause you to eat more. To avoid this, the best thing that you can do is to be wise in eating your carbs. It is recommended that you eat carbs during early evening or late afternoon as these are the times when your serotonin levels tend to dip.
2. Be Proactive In Your Food Choices.
Another reason why we tend to get fat during winter is that we eat based on our impulse. We tend to be reactive with our food choices. The best way on how to avoid winter weight gain is to be proactive in choosing the foods that you eat. In short, you need to have a plan. This goes the same with your workouts. You need to have an exercise and eating plan, and you need to prepare all the ingredients that you would need to whip up the meals in your menu plan to make sure that you will be eating healthy day in and day out.
3. Show Your Love For Winter Squash.
During the summer season, you are given access to fresh produce, making it easy for you to eat healthily. But come wintertime, all of the fruits and vegetables available in grocery stores look pale and unattractive. But if there is one fresh produce that you can take advantage of during this season, it is the winter squash. So, what are you waiting for? Start looking for winter squash recipes that you can enjoy this winter!
4. Perform Mood Enhancing Activities.
One of the reasons why we get fat is because we are anxious, sad or depressed and we tend to overeat. That’s why one of the best ways on how to avoid winter weight gain is to maintain a good mood as much as possible. Instead of turning to food to get the emotional security that you need during this season, it is recommended that you spend time with people who make you feel good doing the activities that will lift your mood. Some of the activities that you can try include winter sports, cooking class, spa trips and many more.
5. Hit The Scale Weekly.
Don’t wait until springtime, when it is already too late, to check and see if you have gained weight or not. By then, it may be too late for you to manage your weight. The key here is to always monitor your weight throughout the winter season. Weigh yourself in the morning and do this weekly. If you have noticed that the pounds are starting to pile up, you can adjust your calorie intake to keep it within control.
6. Have An Alcohol Drinking Strategy.
Alcohol is the number one reason why you gain weight in winter. With all the holidays and gatherings in line, it is easy for you to consume lots of calories through social drinking. But there is one way to go around it—try to squeeze drinking a few glasses of non-alcoholic drinks in between glasses of alcoholic beverages. In this way, you will feel full quickly, and you can avoid overdrinking.
Yes, it is possible for you to ward off winter weight gain. However, doing so will require effort, dedication, and motivation. If you wish to still have a summer-ready body after the holidays, we recommend that you gather all your self-discipline and self-control to put into practice all of the tips that we have mentioned above.