Winter is here, the time where we find excuses like staying at home and watching Netflix with nice big bowl of pasta and a glass of wine by the fire place wrapped up in blanket. But do you really want to throw all your hard work slugging it out at the gym all Summer out the window? No? Well here are some ideas to keep your Summer body through Winter.
Morning Classes:
It’s warmer during the day. It is also a great way to get your blood moving and boost your mood. You don’t want to push yourself as hard as you do in the warmer months but just enough that you can handle to give you a sense of accomplishment.
Eat Right:
Yes we may find ourselves reaching for the more hearty foods during winter, just remember it comes down to moderation. Keeping the body well nourished during the winter can be difficult, but it’s important to prevent weight gain and ward off sickness. Eat plenty of vegtables and fruit which are rich in powerful nutrients. Foods rich in the antioxidants vitamin C and beta-carotene, such as citrus fruit, cabbage, broccoli, pumpkin, sweet potato, and spinach, have immune-boosting power. High-quality carbs such as sweet potatoes, yams, pumpkins, and squash help boost your serotonin levels. Including probiotics is important in restoring levels of healthy bacteria in our body to protect us from other infection. Fermented products such as sauerkraut (highly reccomended) provide live cultures, or alternitively you could take a probiotic as a dietary supplement, especially during the winter months and always after antibiotic use.
Get Outside:
In winter the days are shorter and provide less sunlight. As it gets darker earlier, we get less exposure to the sun, which can lead to a drop in serotonin. That drop can cause depression (winter blues) and food cravings. (You can also boost serotonin with healthy carbs.)
Be Responsible For You:
A great way to keep on track is to have a support network, whether it is a large or small group, your mum, bestfriend, children(who are great at reminding us) or simply your partner. Let who ever you choose know how you went each day, what you ate, how much water you drank, it’s a great way to reflect and be responsible for you whilst having someone keep you accountable. The most important part is to be honest, that means include the piece of cake you ate or other “snackcident” you may have had. It gives you a chance to review your food choices and you can get a better idea on how to improve them.
