As the weather cools down, watch that your motivation doesn’t as well. We all know the shorter days and winter months can be a calorie pile on. A minefield of weight gain traps. Rich winter foods, less daylight hours for outdoor activity, lazy Sundays in bed, cheese and wine by the fire. Big holiday meals. Sounds so tempting doesn’t it?
Well fast track to next Summer, peeling off winter clothing and squeezing into your summer wardrobe: will your thighs resemble the pounds of cheese you devoured? Don’t let your waistline disappear under body fat, follow these simple tips and find the balance between staying fit and getting cozy.
Tip #1: Commit to an exact number of workouts each week. No exceptions (4 is ideal): If this means your laziness midweek lands you a weekend of activity, great. Personally I like to get it over and done with all week (during school hours) so I can relax on the weekend and spend time with my kids.
Tip #2: Join an exercise group and pay upfront: 6 weeks of boxing classes, 12 week challenge in the gym, 10 personal training sessions. You will feel compelled to go and get support from your peers/trainer.
Tip #3: 6 weeks on, 1 week off: Give yourself a break every 6 weeks (even if you don’t feel like it) and book a massage. I bet you miss the workouts and come back rearing to go!
Tip #4: Soup, soup and more soup! Yes we all love comfort food in winter, so avoid the fatty pastas and have soup. Make it, buy it, freeze it. So long as it’s packed with veggies, you can eat it till your hearts content. BONUS – absolutely no butter on your bread and no bread at night. Check my recipes for some amazing soup recipes.
What helps you to stay motivated during the winter months? What are some of your favorite soups?