Top 5 Ways to Beat the Bulge This WinterFor many people winter inevitably results in some unwanted weight gain. The days get shorter, the cold dark nights get longer and we are tempted at every turn to indulge in comfort foods and couch potato behaviour. Now is the time to start fortifying ourselves mentally against the impending chill and it's devilish temptations; here are my top 5 ways to stay on top of it.
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Begin each day with a glass of warm water mixed a generous amount of fresh lemon juice. This will alkalise the body which in turn will assist and optimise digestion of your breakfast.
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Added benefits of lemon water include the cleansing of toxins from the body, rehydrating, promoting radiant skin, strengthening immunity, and lowering the absorption of sugars you eat in your food. The last one is particularly important if you give in to the temptations of fatty or sugary comfort foods. So do yourself a favour and try to drink a few glasses of warm lemon water throughout the day.
Eat a good breakfast and fuel up for the day; you're less likely to get hungry between meals and snack on sugary foods.
Shift your diet to include more
alkaline foods to assist weight loss and increase energy.
Don't eat late at night; it is a lot more difficult for your body to burn calories at night and you are more likely to retain those extra calories on your hips.
Snack wisely by planning ahead; carry fruit or nuts with you, make muffins, stew fruit, or get some snack foods from the health shop
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Spice up your diet; substitute that calorie laden hot chocolate for a cup of green tea with some fresh ginger, eat curries, and add spices like chilli to your meals to get some heat into your body and boost metabolism and digestion.
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Winter is the time for slow cooked stews, casseroles and soups made from fresh, seasonal ingredients such as beetroot, broccoli, leeks, potatoes, cauliflower, parsnips and garlic. Eat plenty of the winter greens spinach, silverbeet and Asian greens such as bok choy. Winter fruits include pink lady apples, grapefruit, lemons, rhubarb, custard apples and pears. Stay away from the frozen and processed dishes that are laden with calories. Eating seasonally will ensure you eat warming foods that nourish the soul, optimise the nutritional value of your food and benefit both you and the environment.
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Courtesy of Wikipedia
Maintaining an active lifestyle throughout the colder months will optimise metabolism and help keep off the kilos. Don't let the cold put a dampener on your motivation; choose exercise forms you enjoy, you'll be more motivated to stick to a routine. Rug up and get out walking, jogging, rollerblading or whatever takes your fancy. If you can't face the outside weather, stay at home and dance to your favourite tunes, do a yoga or exercise DVD, play Wii or do some vigorous housework. The more you exercise, the better you'll feel and the less likely to turn into a couch potato.
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Courtesy of Wikipedia
Alcohol - don't succumb to the temptation of that extra glass of wine or scotch, have a cup of herbal tea instead.
Comfort foods - the hot puddings, creamy cheesy pastas and breads, all those high fat, high sugar foods that taste so good. It's okay to indulge occasionally, moderation is the key.
Bad attitude - avoid negative thoughts, moping and self indulgent wallowing. Accept that it's winter and get on with life, choose to see the positives.
Not Getting Dressed - get out of your pyjamas or trackie pants! Getting dressed will aid motivation.
Hibernation - be careful of withdrawing socially, force yourself off the couch and out of the house, you'll feel better once you do.
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