1) As humans, we are predisposed to gain weight during winter. There is a belief that we need to gain a winter coat in order to stay warm during winter or that humans are biologically programmed to store fat during the colder months to ward off periods of food shortage. While this may have been true for our ancestors 2.5 million years ago…. Most of us aren’t faced with this problem, so weight gain is not necessary.
SOLUTION: Don’t just accept weight gain. Set small-term goals to help manage your weight during winter.
2) I’m hungrier in winter. You may feel hungrier in winter but this may have more to do with mood than appetite as people turn to comfort food to feel better when it’s cold, dark and rainy.
SOLUTION: There’s nothing wrong with being hungry but try to fill up on healthier foods such as proteins, wholegrains, fruit and vegetables and watch your portion sizes.
3) Winter meals are fattening. Healthy food choice is just as possible during winter as summer. Think healthy stews, soups and casseroles or warm toasty baked dinners – these all have vegetables and lean protein included.
SOLUTION: Find healthier alternatives to your favourite meals such as using salt-reduced chicken stock instead of milk and butter with mashed potatoes, and add flavour with fresh herbs and spices instead of pouring on the salt.
4) It’s hard to exercise in winter. Finding a time to exercise can be a challenge, especially if you have young children or working full time and winter can certainly throw in some hurdles with shorter days, colder weather and more chance of rain. But making exercise a priority is part of a healthy weight management plan.
SOLUTION: Take your exercise indoors with any of our workouts from previous blogs, take a photo of our group session whiteboards and complete it indoors. Or make use of indoor group training sessions and our awesome cable machines and free weights at the gym in our Waverley studio. If walking/ training outdoors on your own puts you off, invite a friend or join a group and walk together. And remember, you may be cold at first but exercise will soon warm you up!