People across Georgia are used to the amazing Southern flavors and winter desserts like the scrumptious peach cobbler that help you keep the spirit of winter alive. The question that arises here is: how are you able to maintain your weight with all these creamy winter treats?
Answer: It is quite difficult.
Since winters are approaching Marietta as well and people are getting ready for events like Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is likely that you will live with the spirit and put on some unwanted pounds. However, there is always a probability to change your routine and become healthy.
Tips
Keep a Count of Your Calories
Your body is 70% of what you eat. If you are eating calorie-rich food, then you are on the likelihood of gaining weight. In winter, your body encourages you to eat foods that are high in calories. How many times on a cold Christmas night you have gone out and craved to enjoy a nice burger or a hotdog?
Winters are known to expose you to white fat which is known to store calories and also cause inflammation. Once your body starts storing the fat and burning calories slowly, it is possible that your metabolism is affected and you are more likely to gain weight in the end.
Therefore, make sure that you keep a track of what you are eating. Even if you want to enjoy your favorite holiday food, make sure that you keep control of the portions. Use apps like My Fitness Pal to keep a track of what you are eating.
Shiver and Lose Weight
As much as people hate shivering, it is actually a silver lining to your dreadful winter fat cloud. Obviously, everyone likes to stay warm when the outside wind is chilly, but shivering can actually cause you to burn some extra calories.
Did you know that if you shiver for 15 minutes, it will burn almost as many calories as a moderate session at the gym would? This is because when you shiver, your muscles are contracted and your body is exposed to an effortless set of bicep curls.
Sip on Some Zero Calorie Herbal Teas
Thirst is a feeling that becomes almost unnoticeable in the winter. People are less likely to feel thirst and this normally results in dehydration without the person even noticing it. And what’s more, is that we sometimes interpret ‘food cravings’ are simply signals that our body would like to have some fluids.
The dehydrated body has poor metabolic processes. Therefore, take in some warm water every day along with some herbal teas. These teas are known to improve your metabolism, keep your body temperature warm and help you remain full for a longer time period. Also, these teas are very low in calories so you can consume them with a little snack if you want. Your Marietta pain clinic specialist will also recommend herbal teas as they provide the body with a soothing effect.
Some popular choices are:
- Green tea
- Lavender tea
- Black tea
- Chamomile tea
Have some Warm Soup
Soups and winter go a long way together. What kind of soup do you like? From the rich flavored southern chicken soup to the lighter Thai soups, there are a lot of possibilities. While the flavors might be different, there is one thing that these soups all have in common. And that is being extremely low in calories.
Having a nice soup of your choice before you can start the meal means that you will be fuller and are likely to consume less than what you normally would. According to a recent biological conference, there has been research that proved that people who ate soup before a meal are more likely to consume 20% to 30% fewer calories. Just keep in mind that if your soup flavor is creamy tomato instead of lemongrass and chicken, you are consuming more calories.
Add some Exercise
It is a bit hard for people to go for a run or a jog outdoors every day in the winter. Think of all the chills you might get. Thanks to technology and the availability of high-speed internet, people have easy accessibility to millions of YouTube videos that are based on fitness and exercise.
Whether you want a nice Pilate routine or something more serious like a HIIT or cardio routine that gets your heart pumping, there is always the option of buying a yoga mat, some weights, and incorporating at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Fortunately, YouTube channels like Blogilates, Has Fit and many others offer free videos. Just make sure that you are careful and not sitting at the Marietta pain clinic the next day.
Consume More Protein
Proteins are useful for the body as they help keep you full for a long period of time. Having an adequate protein diet is important because it will help you stay away from sugars and excessive carbs which are compulsory cravings during the winters.
Apart from keeping you away from excess fats and sugars, having a protein-rich diet will actually reduce the content of blood sugar in your body. This is amazing for the body as having lower sugar levels will reduce the risk of diabetes and also boost your metabolism.
Some healthy protein options for people are:
- Lean meats like chicken and fish
- Red meat
- Tofu
- Nuts
Conclusion
During winter, it is common for many people to easily put on some extra pounds. If you are one of those people, this year you can make a difference. Simply add some good workouts and a nice clean eating plan with occasional snacking.
Being on calorie control does not mean that you are not entitled to enjoying all the holiday treats. Just save up some extra calories for the special days and you will feel a difference in the way you spend your winter routines.