Winter blues and weight loss

Winter weight-loss goals

Let’s face it, the winter months don’t really inspire you to go outside for a run, but this is the time when summer bodies are made.

So how can you make sure you’re getting your summer body ready while beating the winter chill? Here is how:

Homemade comfort food

There is something about winter that makes me want to eat everything in sight. It is hibernation time, when all we can think about is snuggling by the heater and eating hearty meals. That doesn’t mean you have to stop losing weight when it is cold, in fact it might just work to your advantage.

• Make homemade soups and stews with fresh ingredients you select yourself. That way you know what you’re eating and you’ll have plenty of food for lunch the next day.
• Pull out grandma’s recipe book and get creative with friends and family for wholesome meals that hit the spot without hitting the waistline, by substituting some ingredients with healthier alternatives.

Move more

The last thing that you want in winter is to get up early in the cold, dark mornings to go to gym or go for a run. So, switch your training to the afternoon to help you unwind after a long, chilly day and warm you up too!

• Opt for afternoon classes at your local gym to get the blood flowing. Most major gyms offer yoga, Pilates and a range of classes - after which you can rush home to snuggle.
• Trade your usual jog for a few home workouts to do after work.
• Use the shorter days and cooler weather to your advantage and try a range of new outdoor activities that get the heart rate up.

Sleep

When you don't get enough sleep, you run the risk of undoing all the good you’ve done with diet and exercise. Research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggest that when we get enough rest, half of the weight we lose is from fat stores. But, when we regularly get fewer than seven hours of sleep each night, that fat loss is cut in half. Meaning you have to work much harder to lose weight than those getting enough sleep.

• Switch off electronics at least 30 minutes before bed to clear your mind. That way, you’ll be able to get restful and uninterrupted sleep.
• Have a warm bath before bed to relax your body and mind, adding a few drops of lavender oil will just help send you off to sleep.

Winter might mean the end of bikini season, but it doesn’t have to be the reason why your next bikini season is spent covered up.

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