How to Stop Winter Weight Gain

Statistics show that most people gain 5 to 10 pounds over the winter season. This might be due to stress related eating, holiday partying, or inactivity. This usually results in storing fat. Here are ways to fight that winter gain.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• High Motivation

1. Reduce fats. Stick to a low fat plan less than 20 grams per day. Eat more fruit and vegetables. Add more protein.

2. Get moving. Don't give up on staying in shape and exercising just because it's winter time! Find alternative ways to exercise indoors. Start an aerobic workout, lift weights, stationary bicycle, and exercise for at least 30 minutes 4 times per week. Remember, don't use winter as an excuse NOT to exercise!

3. Triggers. Know the situations that trigger overeating. Is it stress, special foods like chocolate, parties, family dinners, holiday eating, inactivity. Try to avoid the situations that produce the overeating. Or find other ways to cope by using stress reducing methods like meditation or finding ways to keep the hands busy with crafts, writing, typing. Anything so that the hands stay away from food.

4. Stress relief. Take a few minutes each day to sit calmly in a dark quiet room and simply close your eyes and breathe in and out for several minutes. Try to clear the mind and relax. Much weight gain is due to inactivity, bad eating patterns, and stress. This exercise should help reduce some of the daily stress and hopefully the overeating that is due to stress.

[godfather25]

on 11/5/2009 Nice article on stopping winter weight gain.

[kristara]

on 11/5/2009 Great tips on not gaining weight over the winter 5*