36 Tips for Winter Weight Loss

“In the winter she curls up around a good book and dreams away the cold.”
-Ben Aaronovitch

Winter time, when it’s cold and dreary, is a difficult time of the year to stay on track with your healthy living journey. Some of the things that have helped me along the way in various aspects are:

COMFORT FOODS:

1. Hot cocoa- try with marshmallows or some homemade versions.
2. Coffee
3. Hot tea
4. Hot cereals such as oatmeal or cream of wheat- these are often low fat and low calorie, and healthier than some other breakfast options.
5. Soups- as long as you’re careful with sodium and focus on low fat soups, you can fill up on it and stay within your goals.
6. Grilled cheese sandwiches- make with whole grain/wheat bread and minimal butter and you’re good to go.
7. Chili- try cooking your chili with ground turkey or lean ground beef, beans, and even some veggies mixed in to bulk it up and add fiber.
8. Baked sweet potatoes- try with cottage cheese and cinnamon for protein and flavor. It tastes way better than it sounds!
9. Healthy lasagna versions- whole grain or veggie pasta, ground turkey, and other healthier ingredients.
10. Meatloaf- made healthier with lean ground beef or ground turkey, and whole wheat crumbles.
11. Crockpot meals- there are so many choices of healthy meals to cook in the crockpot! They are hot and tasty, and perfect for winter time!
12. Popcorn- as long as you’re careful with the butter, fat, and additives… or make on the stove with fresh kernels.

FITNESS IDEAS:

1. Exercise videos- DVDs or online videos through a video subscription service, YouTube, or anywhere else.
2. Dance around the house- this is such a “fun” way to exercise! Dance around on your own or with loved ones, and burn a ton of calories!
3. Walk in place- walk in place in the house, challenge yourself to walk in place for a certain amount of time, or walk in place during the commercials of your evening show.
4. Strength training- there are quite a few pieces of strength training equipment that are small and easy to store in any space: dumbbells, resistance bands, kettlebells, and more!
5. Small cardio equipment- hula hoops, mini trampolines, step-up stools, compact stepper machine, and foot and arm cycles.
6. Clean and organize- winter is the perfect time of year to do deep cleaning or an organizational overhaul, both of which can torch the calories!
7. Mall walk- a warm place to walk with plenty of interesting scenery. You can walk around the perimeter of the inside of the mall quite a few times in one go.
8. Join a gym- only do this if you feel like you can make the commitment to it and can afford the monthly fee, otherwise gym memberships are overrated.
9. Simply increase your activity throughout the day- get up and get some exercise in once every 1-2 hours, even something as simple as walking in place, stretching, etc.
10. Workout outdoors- make sure to layer up and be careful of the ice if you do! Even though it’s cold, it’s still possible to get out and take walks, sometimes go for a run, or get in some other form of exercise that’s perfect in the snow.

STAYING MOTIVATED:

1. Keep your eyes on the prize- remember why you’re doing this and what you’re working towards as you go about your day.
2. Think about events coming up ahead- whether it be a party, birthday, wedding, or something else entirely, think about those events to stay motivated and pumped up!
3. Stay focused on your goals- your goals are still important during the winter. So do your best to remind yourself of what they are and why they are so important to you!
4. Find quality support- being surrounded by people who support you and/or understand what you’re going through, is really beneficial and can help you feel more confident.
5. Search Pinterest for inspiration- there are so many inspiring and motivating quotes, pictures, or blog posts to read on there. Use them to get pumped up and ready to do what you need to do when your motivation is waning!
6. Listen to upbeat/motivational music- find your favorite music to listen to that’s upbeat and motivational. It usually has a way of getting you pumped up and excited to workout or live life better!
7. Watch fun videos or listen to podcasts- anything that is funny, positive, or motivational in whatever way you need it to be, is great to watch or listen to when you’re not feeling motivated!
8. Make a motivation board- put together quotes, pictures, and words that represents your goals or helps you feel motivated, and use them to decorate a poster board. Pretty it up and put it where you will see it often.
9. Create or work on your weight loss journal- in a notebook or binder, record your weight loss journey highlights and accomplishments. Add quotes, pictures, words, or anything else that has helped you along the way.

COLD WEATHER SELF-CARE:

1. Curl up with a good book- reading is an excellent way to de-stress and to take care of yourself.
2. Cuddle with loved ones- the interaction and contact is good for you all around, leaving you feeling warm and loved.
3. Watch a fun movie- watching a movie that entertains you in some way, is a wonderful way to rest and relax.
4. Admire the beauty around you- the cold may not feel good to be in, but there is a certain beauty to winter, no matter where you live.
5. Stay warm- staying warm makes most of us feel better!

“In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
-Albert Camus

P.S. Get your free Getting Started Weight Loss Workbook when you sign up for the Inspire the Best You Newsletter!

 

What is your favorite way to work on losing weight or simply being happier in the winter? 

 

~Bonnie~

• Losing Weight