Watch Your Winter Weight

Winter is generally known as a time we pack on the pounds.  Often we resolve to lose weight, only to find ourselves heavier by the time spring hits.  But with a little effort and planning, you can keep your figure all the way to spring. 

The holidays often come with large meals, tons of sugary treats, and a few extra pounds by the time the New Year hits.  Here are some tips for avoiding overeating holiday goodies.

* Cook holiday food with healthier options like using evaporated milk instead of cream and broth instead of butter.

* Bring along healthy snacks when you know there will be treats waiting.

* Eat a snack shortly before large meals.  You’ll be less hungry and end up eating less overall.

* Concentrate on maintaining your weight until January, not losing any.  This will help keep you motivated instead of becoming distressed when you fail to lose weight.

* Instead of trying a little bit of everything when you eat meals, just take your favorites.  You’ll eat less and be more satisfied.

Many people attribute winter weight gain solely to all the bad food during the holidays, but there’s another big cause :  lack of exercise.  Many people get little or even no exercise through the winter months, way past the holidays. 

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising.  There are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to participate in.  If you’re not good at self-motivation, why not join a gym or join a mall walking club to help meet new people, socialize, and keep yourself going?

While there are obvious reasons for gaining weight during the winter, there is also one big hidden reason :  depression.  Many people suffer seasonal depression during the winter.  It not only causes them to reach for more fattening foods, it also leaves them lethargic and unwilling to get exercise.  This combination can help pack on the pounds, many times furthering the depression.

To keep from getting into this cycle, take steps to keep your mood elevated as you go into winter, and then keep it up through the season.  The biggest cause of seasonal depression is lack of sunlight.  Be sure to keep your home and office well lit when you’re indoors.  If this isn’t enough, take a few 20 minute periods every day to sit in from of a high watt bulb.  This will help boost your mood naturally. 

While bad diet and lack or exercise are often a result of depression, they can also be part of the cause.  If you start feeling depressed, be sure to keep up your healthy habits.  They will help boost your mood and keep you from falling into a bad cycle.