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10 Tips for Losing Weight During Cold Weather

As the weather turns colder, our bodies crave warm comfort foods and fats. Eating healthy fruits and vegetables because fresh produce isn’t as easily to come by. We begin to slow down, not being as active outdoors. With the shorter, darker days of winter it becomes harder to lose weight.

Here are 10 tips for losing weight during cold weather when all you want to do is hibernate.

1. Eat foods that are in season.

This includes dense root vegetables, hearty greens and quality meats. Prepare these good-for-you foods in healthy ways that benefit your body.

2. Focus on using the good fats. Cook with monounsaturated fats, or the oils made from nuts, olive oil and avocados as well as polyunsaturated fats or walnuts, fish like salmon mackerel and herring and sunflower seeds. Stay away from hydrogenated and trans fats found in processed foods.

3. Continue your fitness by working out at home. There are many types of exercise you can do right in the comfort of your home. Find tons of online workout videos including yoga, dance, cardio and HIIT.

4. Stay away from refined sugars. Sweetness cravings rise when the temperature begins to cool. Instead of sugary desserts, opt for healthy vegetables like beetroot, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins. Roasted apples, bananas or baked pears satisfy your craving for sweets when drizzled with hone or sprinkled with cinnamon.

5. Consume cold water.

Drinking liquids colder than your core body temperature, your body works to warm it up causing you to burn extra calories.

6. Get more sleep earlier. Go to sleep earlier in the evening when it’s dark and wake up earlier to daylight whenever possible. Getting more sleep also helps you stay away from late night snacking.

7. Eat soup as your entrée.

Eating soup or salad with your meal helps you consume up to 100 less calories for your meal. Choose broth-based soups for a less calorie dense serving.

8. Order in instead of dining out. When people order their food to be delivered or picked up and eaten at home, they often choose lower calorie meals than if they sit down and order immediately at a restaurant.

9. Bulk up on layers.

The bulky restricting layers you wear in winter to keep you warm but the extra weight amps up your strength training and resistance with every step you take.

10. It’s fine to treat yourself from time to time.

But don’t reach those sugar laden high calorie treats. Instead opt for lower calorie, sugar free desserts that satisfy your desire for a treat. Try a piece of dark chocolate when you crave chocolate. Eat in moderation sugary treats but only occasionally.

You don’t have to give up on keeping fit and healthy during the winter. Simply follow these ten tips to help you stay on track with your weight loss goals during the cold winter months.