Winter is a beautiful time of year, a time of holidays and sharing with family and loved ones. Unfortunately winter also has its downs sides, especially after the holidays have passed. The average person gains between 5 to 10 pounds during the holidays! With spring around the corner, there is no time to waste to get back to your healthy routine so that you can enjoy the spring weather with confidence!
Here are some tips that can help you get back to your healthy tracks in no time:
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Make exercise a priority. Exercising should go back to the top of your list. Take advantage of the last few days of the cool weather and go for a run. This will not only help you burn calories but it will also get your blood pumping and releasing endorphins throughout your entire system–and as you know, endorphins are the feel-good hormones. Exercising can also help you get out of the winter blues. Lisa Giannetto, MD, who works in the Diet and Fitness Center at Duke University Medical Center says: "Setting a regular fitness schedule is the key to keeping weight off in winter."
Include different types of workouts in your routine to keep you motivated. You can even try some winter sports like ice skating and skiing. The most important thing is to have a plan, as you would be more likely to go straight home after work if you don't.
Eat more pulses. Nothing is more satisfying than a warm hearty meal at the end of a cold winter day. Include pulses like chickpeas, lentils or peas to make your meals more satisfying and also to accelerate your weight loss.
Pulses have a low glycemic index and they aid with digestion. They are also filled with fiber and protein, which increases the feeling of fullness, helping you stay satisfied for longer periods of time.
According to a recent study published in the journal Obesity with 126 participants, it was found that those who ate at least 160 grams of pulses per day felt 31 percent more satisfied than those who didn't. Foods like pulses with a low glycemic index have also been linked to lower risks of cardiovascular diseases, blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and even depression.
Listen to your body. Winter and the holidays are a busy time of year. With all the food centric parties and gatherings, your body gets thrown out of whack and it's harder to know when you are really hungry or full. It is important to pay attention to how you are feeling and how you are reacting. If you find yourself over-stressed and turning to unhealthy habits, stop and identify what is making you feel this way so that you can find a solution to deal with it. It is also very common during winter to get dehydrated due to the dry weather. Most of the time, when we feel hungry and it's not time to eat, it's really our body telling us it needs water. So keep a bottle of water handy and keep yourself hydrated all the time.
Enjoy this beautiful season with moderation and keep in mind all of the effort you have made to get to where you are today.
Please share this article with all the people that you love so that they can also benefit from this information. Together we can make this world a happier healthier place!
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