Temperatures have dropped and the days have gotten shorter. These factors inhibit neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps control cravings during months of scarce sunlight. Keep your goals in sight and avoid seasonal weight gains by following these five winter weight loss tips.
1. Stick to an eating plan
One of the best ways to help with your dieting is to have a realistic eating plan in place. Focus on a protein-based diet with lots of vegetables. There will be times when favorite foods are OK, but focusing on nutrient-dense foods to support energy, focus and muscle should be top-priority.
2. Bask in the sunlight
During colder months, the sun is out less, so take advantage of the time that it does shine. Lack of sunlight can cause cravings for unhealthy foods, but you can keep your mood and serotonin levels high by spending time outdoors.
One of the best winter fitness tips is to exercise outside whenever you can. Not only will this help keep your mood-boosting hormones flowing, but you will also get in a great workout.
3. Avoid distracted eating
You may be spending more time indoors because of inclement weather, but when it comes time to enjoy a meal, turn off the television, put your cellphone down and step away from the computer.
By doing this, you allow yourself to become more mindful of what and how much you are eating. According to a study by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, participants who ate meals without distractions ate less and felt fuller after half an hour when compared to those who used technology during their meals.
4. Choose your drinks wisely
We all know to step away from beverages that are full of empty sugar, but it’s typical to see alcoholic drinks featured at many events.
Try not to completely swear off anything, since that can lead to overindulging. Instead, it is best to make healthy substitution choices. Dieting is a breeze when you know what types of swaps to make. For example, if you are craving a cosmopolitan, try infused raspberry vodka with club soda, a splash of cranberry juice and a fresh lime wedge. For more great drink substitutions that will encourage winter weight loss, check out the recipes on Oprah.com.
5. Make exercise a priority
Get your body moving and wake up the endorphins that keep you feeling good. Winter is a great time to add new and exciting workouts to your repertoire. Go skiing or lace up your skates and head to the ice rink. Even something as simple as playing in the snow can be a great workout, and one of the best parts about winter fitness is that a lot of seasonal activities are great to enjoy with family and friends.
Use this cold weather as motivation to lose winter weight and keep it off. By the time you pull out your summer clothes, you will see that all your hard work has paid off—and you can reward yourself with a shopping trip to buy some jeans in your new, smaller size. For more winter weight loss tips like these, don’t hesitate to contact BMI of Texas.