Winter can be rough on our bodies. Who wouldn’t want to cuddle up in a blanket, fetal position, with a giant mug of hot chocolate in one hand, and remote control in the other? And when a snow storm hits, it’s difficult not to find yourself in the kitchen grazing at whatever catches your eye. It’s far too cold to be going outside for a jog, and the drive to the gym seems to get longer and longer.
Here’s a list of 5 ways how you can avoid gaining those extra winter pounds and get healthy this winter!
- Work out first thing in the morning. No excuses. Not only will you mentally bump it up to the top of your priority list, but you’ll jump start your metabolism and make the rest of your day a fabulous one.
- Swap your morning coffee with hot herbal tea which are high in antioxidants which prevent inflammation of blood vessels and reduce risk for cancer. Check out my previous blog post: A Cup of Tea for Good Health [1].
- Treat yourself to a “Fiber Flush.” Most healthy adults in the U.S. consume an average of 12-15 grams of fiber a day (American Dietetic Association recommends 20-35 grams of fiber a day), which is half of the recommendation! A few tips include: eat a high-fiber cereal and add some fruits (bananas, berries, raisins, etc), choose breads that contain at least 3 grams of fiber per slice, and steer towards whole wheat pastas and brown rice.
- Keep your eyes wide open for the fruits and vegetables in season. Not only will you save a few bucks, but they are also delivery vehicles for a variety of nutrients. Winter fruits and vegetables include: apples, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, grapefruit, kale, sweet potatoes, peaches, oranges and tangerines.
- Cook a batch of soup over the weekend, freeze in portion-sized containers, and BAM…you save time and that inclination to pick up fast-food on your way home.
Have you tried any of the above? How have they worked for you? What are things you like to do to “Winterize Your Body”?
By Mitzi Dulan [2] with assistance provided by Monica Lobo. [3]
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