It may interest you to learn that winter weight gain has some historical facts. It may sound odd, but let me share some with you that I am familiar with.
Historical basis of winter gain:
Winter weight gain can be traced back to the days when there was a scarcity of food supply during the winter. But thanks to the introduction of convenience stores, we no longer experience scarcity of food no matter what season we are in. There is a steady supply of food that showcases whatever is produced during a specific season – for example during the winter there are certain fruits and vegetables that thrive during the cold winter months.
In the olden days, the body needed to store more fat during the winter to have a steady supply of heat. However, nowadays we wear winter clothing which is specifically designed to protect our body from the cold. This means we no longer need the extra fat. Not to mention that houses and offices are built with heaters, so there is definitely a lot more assistance for the body to survive during the winter.
So how do you solve the problem of winter weight gain? Here are 5 tips to explore:
Increase your exposure to sunlight.
Winter is a great season to be fashionable. Layering your clothes is a great way to reverse your fear of going outside. Remember that winter blues are always associated with light deprivation. Getting some fresh air and sunlight will definitely help to curb your winter blues plus will help to control your appetite. As a general rule, getting one hour of sun daily during the morning is helpful. However, if you are not a morning person, you may opt to spend several hours under the sun during the weekend to compensate for the lack of sun during the week.
Increase your physical activity, even just a little bit.
Staying indoors is not an excuse to not move and be active. There are a lot of exercises that can be done in the comfort of your home. And of course, it is always best to go out once in a while. Just bundle up and go for a walk in the park or jog around the block. This will definitely set your mood right, plus there is the benefit of shedding off those extra pounds!
Drink lots of water.
Whether hot or cold, our body needs enough water for hydration. In fact, all that heating and layers of clothing we wear can cause our body to become dehydrated. We should remember to drink up to 8 glasses of water each day. It will definitely show in your skin if you are getting enough water. So, if you are vane like me, drink lots of water just to make yourself look fresh and youthful! Remember that the winter wind can easily cause wrinkles and dry skin.
Load up on seasonal fruit and veggies.
Economical and healthy. These are two of the most important benefits of eating a bunch of seasonal fruit and veggies. Be creative
and whip up some recipes. Or you can always check with an expert for recipe recommendations. Again, I will reiterate that eating lots of antioxidant packed fruit and veggies will help your skin to look radiant, plus it will help to keep your immune system working best for you!
Watch your diet.
It may be true that during winter it is always good to eat comfort food, which is usually loaded with fat and calories. It is not entirely bad to go against this rule. Instead of eating fat laden red meat, you can substitute it with white and lean meat. You will still get the same amount of protein, just not the additional fat. Clear soup and salads as starters are also a good way to help prevent you from loading up on calories and fats. It helps you to feel satisfied with less unwanted weight gain.
And, if you don’t have enough time to prepare the ideal meal, you can always check out meal replacement products that are trusted for quality, variety and good taste. Check out Optifast Weight Management Meal Program. You will be amazed with how it can stop the scales from moving up!