With the cold weather comes the winter appetite. Layers of clothing cover the bulge and exercise is often forgone for snuggling in front of the heater with a warm (and large) meal. How can we prevent those kilos from sneaking on before we show our bodies next summer? By following a few simple rules, is how.
1. Get up and get moving
It’s freezing cold and you are tucked in bed all cozy and warm. It is so tempting to hit that snooze button and indulge in just a little more sleep. Getting up on cold mornings can feel like torture, but the trick is to wake up, then get up before thinking too much about it. Quickly throw on some warm clothes – which you have prepared the night before - and get moving. Brisk walking for just 30 minutes each morning is enough to get those calories burning, warm you up, and get your blood circulating. The fresh air will invigorate you for the day, and it can also help prevent the lethargy that sometimes results from spending time in heated spaces.
2. Hop into the herbal teas
To stay warm and hydrated, herbal teas are the way to go. They are simple and quick to prepare, and have no calories (unless you add sugar!). If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, why not try varieties such as licorice or rosehip? You may just find they are sweet enough just as they are, and they beat a sweet snack hands down for health benefits!
3. Eat hot foods with a high liquid content
Soups are a fantastic way to warm your belly, get some veges, and hydrate your body. They can also be made low fat and low calorie, whilst providing oodles of fibre and vitamins and minerals. The high liquid content may trick your body into thinking you have consumed more calories than you actually have, and if you have a cold or flu, a homemade chicken soup may be just what the doctor ordered!
4. Serve foods on smaller plates
In summer we might have the big plates and bowls out to cater for our abundance of leafy salads and cut fruit. Having a ‘winter set’ of crockery may just be the answer for making sure that we don’t over indulge in large wintery portions. Having two small bowls of soup can give you the impression that you have had your fill before having one large bowl. Try it out. You may just be surprised about the difference.
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