Tips For Avoiding Weight Gain This Winter
We’re knee-deep into winter right now, which means shorter days, less sunlight, and much colder temps. This can leave us feeling sluggish and unmotivated, which isn’t great for maintaining or losing weight.
When we’re cold and tired, our bodies naturally want to go into hibernation mode. While rest is just as beneficial to your body as movement, it’s important to maintain a healthy balance of both during the winter to avoid excessive weight gain.
If you’ve been dreading the winter months because you know you have less energy and motivation to stick to a routine, don’t worry – you’re not alone!
Here are 5 tips and tricks for avoiding weight gain this winter that will hopefully help you stay on track and crush your fitness goals. You’ve got this!
Get Enough Vitamin D/Sunlight
There’s a disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression caused by specific seasons, typically the colder months like fall and winter. This is usually caused by a lack of sunlight and vitamin D because the weather is usually more gray and overcast during those months.
When we’re sad, many of us turn to food for comfort and even to warm us up, so it’s crucial to pay attention to what comfort foods we’re eating. Making sure to get outside when there’s sunlight, or even supplementing with vitamin D tablets, can help stave off the effects of SAD. You can also get a sunlight lamp, which mimics actual sunlight! When our bodies have the nutrients they need, we have much more energy to focus on our weight loss goals.
Exercise
While exercising is essential year-round to maintain overall health, it’s especially important during the winter when we’re more inclined to stay indoors and sit for long hours. If you have a treadmill at home or a gym membership, try your best to use them during the winter to keep your body active. Even something as simple as going for a walk can help you avoid weight gain!
Stay Hydrated
In the winter, we’re more inclined to drink warm drinks like coffee and tea, which helps with hydration, but we also often use sweating as a cue to drink water, which isn’t as common in the winter. However, you’re still losing fluids, and it’s imperative to be drinking enough water year-round, not just when we’re actively thirsty. You can also stay hydrated through the foods you’re eating!
Eat Nutrient Dense Meals
It’s vital to feed yourself the right amount and consume foods that will make you feel full and energized throughout the day, as this helps with cravings. Eating nutrient-dense meals can help with that. Lots of vitamins and minerals will help you feel full and ensure you get the right nutrients to keep your energy up all winter! This can help you have more energy to exercise and avoid slipping into poor eating habits.
Need some recipe ideas? Check out these winter recipes, these 25 amazing soup recipes, and these recipes perfect for meal prepping.
Balance Your Hormones
Hormone levels in your body are significant for your overall health. When your hormones are not balanced, several problems can arise, such as weight gain, acne, infertility, and diabetes. Keeping your body regulated, especially during the winter, can help you maintain your diet and exercise regimens. After all, working to stay healthy with external habits won’t necessarily help if you’re not aligned internally.
There’s a plethora of ways to avoid weight gain during the winter, but I hope the five mentioned above are a good starting point for you this year.
I know it can be hard to lose weight in general, especially when it’s cold and dreary outside and you don’t want to expend any energy. But in the long run, your body will thank you for keeping it energized and full of the nutrients it needs to support you best.
For more tips on making this winter your best one ever, check out these posts:
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Walking in the Winter
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Guide to Getting Outside this Winter
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5 Tips for Thriving Through the Winter Blues and Boosting Your Mood
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How to Be Productive at Home This Winter
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Caring for Dry Hands and Nails in the Winter
Let me know how these tips work for you! And do you have any tricks for staying active, healthy, and happy in the winter? Let me know in the comments below!
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