I automatically lose weight in the summer. There's a million things to do. It's really easy to go for a walk in the park or jog with a friend when the weather is lovely and everyone is out and about. I love swimming and going to the beach. The summer naturally keeps you active, and you tend to eat lighter because it's so hot.
But when it's five degrees below zero and there's slush all over the street, you worry you'll slip and slide when jogging. Often, you just want to curl up with a skim caramel macchiato and a chocolate chip cookie (replace cookie with any unhealthy winter food here) and read a good book.
There's also the holidays to think about, and your mom stuffing you because of how "thin" you look. I never escape the holidays without gaining at least a couple of pounds, and that's when my mom isn't sitting next to me at the dinner table and heaping more stuffing onto my plate. She says she does it out of love, but I feel a lot of hate when I can't fit into any of my clothes. When it isn't snowing, I tend to get out a subway stop earlier and walk to work and end up hitting the treadmill a lot more, whether I want to or not.
So what do you do to stay fit in the winter? Do you feel that the cold weather naturally makes you more sluggish and tired? And how do you avoid the inevitable five pound weight gain from all the holiday food?
Comments (21)
coffee keeps you awake.....
get a wii.It's actually the opposite for me.
Once october/november hits I find myself running more (I run on an indoor track) and working out more
Of course that might be just because after years of rowing, November has been hardwired into my brain as the month to begin "winter conditioning"
I find tea and coffee to be great winter snacks. They warm you right up, so you get the satisfaction of hot food without loading up on calories. Oatmeal can be a good snack too. Again, warm and low calorie. And you can get flavored oatmeal that satisfies your sweet tooth without going the cookie route.
Join a gym with a friend. It's actually a lot of fun. There are bikes inside (not nearly as fun as riding a real bike, but you can use your imagination a little haha).
If you're at a holiday party and really can't resist the food, resolve to only have "one". Say there is a huge selection of desserts: choose only one (one slice of cake OR one cookie, not both). You aren't alone. I forget the actual statistic, but I think it goes some thing like the average american gains fifteen (15!) pounds between thanksgiving and new years.
Good luck! =]
I think it's a little natural to gain about 5 pounds in winter, and lose it once it starts getting warm - it has to do with your body's insulation. But it IS important to keep moving - take advantage of any chances to walk (say, the mall or in a gym) and stretching every day will help keep your metabolism up.
Also, DON'T overdo it on holiday foods! It is so easy...I find myself constantly surrounded with goodies and treats, going to parties, family gatherings, etc...it is okay to indulge a little, enjoy what is there, but try not to eat more than you normally would!
I am looking forward to taking a spinning class at my local gym. Also, I'm using the Chinch program from Shaklee & replacing regular meals with protien shakes.
I always lose weight during the winter because I prepare that I am going to eat more than I do in the summer and I over-compensate..if that makes sense. But I decreases the amount of food I eat and I go to workout classes inside.
I find I really enjoy the challenge of taking long runs through the snow. It's an accident waiting to happen, though, so I have to make sure I'm careful not to slip on ice.
That's why I hate jogging outside in the winter, too!!! Slipping and cracking your head is so scary.
I gained weight the past two winters because I just didn't want to do anything outside. This year, I decided that I would work hard to stay in shape and decided to get a gym membership...that way, I'm forced to get my money's worth and gives me a reason to go work out.
One thing is well the weather. The drop in heat isn't favorable to your body, which wants to stay above a comfortable 98 degrees. So it starts to shiver, but even burning a couple of calories to do that doesn't keep it warm. It then realizes this cold stuff is going to last for a while, and starts to store energy from the food you eat in preparation of what it thinks will happen: hibernation/winter famine.
A second thing is something the body doesn't expect: lots of hormones. The stress of the holidays is no joke. Stress, emotions, and an overload of work accumulate since the end of summer, particularly for families with the school year. After the school year begins, most will find them facing the political stuff (2008) which is a very stressful situation for all. After that, comes the economic problems (2008) even if it’s not a crisis, we all have to plan ahead now for holiday spending. Then we have Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. A.) The travel, deciding where to go and who to spend it with. B.) The food, facing family pressure and not a lot of options for a healthy dinner. C.) The exercise, too cold and if you can’t afford a gym no way to get out of the house.
Everything, and everything leads up to the weight gain and energy loss. But can we possibly pass this time by without the normal outcomes? Yes, very possibly.
The first thing to tackle is your body’s metabolism. You need to keep very warm, wearing insulating clothing that fits close to your body. Wear a hat and gloves as much as possible. In bed, wear warm pajamas instead of piling on covers, like overly large jackets, the more blankets distributes the heat over unnecessary areas. But if it gets very cold, then use tight blankets instead of bulky ones. Always eat warm things, like soup or hot oatmeal, remember healthy. Add spices like cinnamon, curry, hot sauce, and dry mustard to speed the metabolism. Drinking moderate amounts of coffee and a lot of green tea also keep your body burning.
Exercise is always a plus, and the way to do it out or in. If the weather isn’t too bad, just pile up and pile out. Stick to walking and wear leotard-like clothing. If you have a lot of snow though, take advantage and hit the hills. Snowboarding and skiing helps keep the muscles toned and working hard. If you don’t have equipment, then just rent. Skating is also great exercise and can improve your balance and coordination. If you want to do it in then get a gym membership or do simple indoor activities. Cleaning up, shoveling snow (by hand), and doing weights are some things you can choose. You can always buy a at-home-exercise-video like yoga, boxing, or Pilates. So there’s no excuse for missing out on the action.
The second thing is the hormones, yes guys this applies to you too. People deal with stress in different ways, some good and some bad. Around this time of the year it is important to not make one of those ways with food. So, it’s a good time to pick up a hobby, therapist, good friend, or another positive coping skill. Start being creative, open about what your going through because it’s the ‘bottle’ effect of keeping those things inside that will overwhelm your mind and body. Try painting, photography, reading, keeping a diary or blogging (ha ha).
If you have family with you, keep it cool but keep it truthful, whether it may hurt them or not. Because some things need to be told to them. If you don’t want that second serving, then stand up and say so. Have some courage, but do it with respect. Because the moments won’t be fully enjoyed if you aren’t comfortable.
I agree with the person who said get a Wii. Although if you don't already have one, good luck finding one. The Wii offers some movement, especially if you have something like Wii Fit.
But I usually try to eat less crap in the winter and eat more healthily. And I also pump iron in the comfort of my own home.
yeah summertime I struggle and winter is when I tend to drop weight. thats weird I think, but thats the way I am
I'm gonna be totally frank! I hit the gym once in a while but what keeps me in shape during winter is sex, sex, and more sex.
I always tell the BF, "Honey, it's winter now so you better get in shape because if I don't get some twice a day, I'm gonna go bonkers".
We don't run the heat on blast at my house and I'm not a huge fan of heavy layering because I sweat alot. With that being said, I must say that being cold burns calories because your body has to heat itself up. I also lose my appetite some in the winter.
I struggle with my weight in the summer. I'm too busy to workout the way I do during the other three seasons. Summers used to be a time to relax. Not anymore! Anyway, I keep my weight off by doing interval training (mostly on the treadmill) and lifting weights. To keep the weight off, I just remind myself of how terrible I feel when I don't eat clean. That helps me to stay on track. Two cups of coffee helps to give me that afternoon pick me up so I won't feel sluggish.
I'm convinced that willingly exposing yourself to cold for extended lengths of time helps one stay fit.
From the shivering, you know?
I ring bells for the Salvation Army, so when I'm not shivering, I'm often dancing about trying to keep warm. I average five hours a day at this, several days a week.
Elsewise, there's always keeping your house and car unburied in snow. But this would largely depend on where you live. Out here in Ohio...there's usually SEVERAL storms that're quite capable of making sure you don't leave your home. Sometimes it's impossible to dig yourself out, but usually you can with alot of work. Helps if you have a family to help you do it, makes better time and can be more fun that way.
If you live out in the sticks, like I do, then you've usually some chores outside. And when you've mounds of snow to climb over to do them...
Well. There's usually not much difference between activity between winter and summer for me. Only I tend to get much more exhausted in the summer. Especially if I attempt to do as much indoor exercises.
I seriously believe that no one can escape the winter weight gain. although many promise themselves they'll stay away from all that sugary goodness, they most likely eat more of it. i know my sister does that. she says that she is trying to lose weight but when she walks into the store, she always buys a bag of chocolate or some other type of candy. she usually buys more during the winter months.
does being cold really help you burn calories?
Gym
Skating rink
Swimming pool
I'm actually a little sad that I won't be running outside this winter. (Treadmill for me since moving to a not-as-nice neighborhood.) I love the crisp air. It is a pain after snowfalls because practically no one shovels, but running on the roads isn't bad (after work is better than dawn if you're afraid for falling - black ice is tricky - I had a few bruises from that stuff) and if your city has bike paths, most do a good job of plowing them.
I'm one of those people that quite a few girls hate/envy. I'm natually active, and therefore skinny. During the summer i run, swim, walk, going to concerts (mosh pits), go to the gym, skateboard, blade, all sorts of stuff. I'm actually just as active if not more so during the winter. I run, ice skate, snowboard, walk as a exercise, and have more than one snowball fight a week.
Also, charity is good for you. I sign up for countless charity events during the year. I do teenserve in my area. My brothers and i drive around during snowstorms, pulling people out of ditches. I scoop random peoples sidewalks and driveways when i can. I snowboard to Wal Mart every chance i get, and put away all their carts, before hiking back, and coming to do it the next day.
Ice skating is great. I can barely stand or get away from the wall, but trying to balance definately strengthens the core. Plus that and laughing so much.