Eight Easy Ways to Prioritize Nutrition and Fitness This Winter
I think the country heard a collective groan when we turned the clocks back an hour this year. Gone are the long daylight hours, and now comes earlier darkness. And colder weather. Some parts of the country have even seen significant snowfall already. For many, the cold and the dark work together to quash any motivation to work out or to eat healthy foods, especially as the holidays approach.
That’s why it’s important to have goals. To help you set goals, we want to share eight ways to stay motivated and to prioritize nutrition and fitness this winter. Doing these things will not only help you stay on track to meet your goals but will help you make healthy habits part of your lifestyle rather than just a temporary part of your year.
- Choose a new type of exercise.
Lots of people stop exercising or going to the gym because they get tired of it. Sometimes we just need to shake up our routine. Try something new, maybe something you have always wanted to learn. If you don’t belong to a gym, join one. If you have always wanted to start swimming, find an indoor pool. Maybe join a spin class, take up Yoga, or play basketball. The possibilities are endless. But do something that will excite you and keep you returning to it.
- Make good food choices, but allow indulgences.
We all know that this is the worst time of year for trying to stick to a healthy diet. So change your mindset. Diets are often pointless. What works best is a healthy way of eating all the time so that a few nights of Christmas cookies and a day of all the fixings don’t negatively impact your weight or your progress. If you eat well 80-90 percent of the time, sweet indulgences once in a while should not create roadblocks to healthy living.
- Drink water!
We cannot stress enough the importance of staying hydrated. The Harvard School of Public Health explains that our bodies need water to “regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to cells, and keep organs functioning properly.” It goes on to say that “being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood.” Drinking water before you eat also keeps you from overeating, as it helps you feel fuller. So before you reach for a snack or start a heavy meal, drink a large glass of water.
- Get outside.
Walking or exercising outside in the sun and fresh air, even if it’s cold, will not only help you burn calories but will help you increase your vitamin D and will improve your mood. Even just sitting outside in the sun can help improve your mood. So take time each day, preferably in the early afternoon hours, to sit outside and soak up the sun or to go for a brisk walk.
- Cut out white flour and bread.
These foods have very little nutritional benefit, if any. Switch to whole grains. You could even start making your own whole-grain bread from scratch.
- Learn new recipes.
Some of your standard favorites can be made with healthier ingredients or replacements, such as applesauce or honey instead of sugar, or spelt instead of white flour. When you can, opt for desserts with fresh fruit instead of laden with chocolate, heavy cream fillings, or artificial sugars.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
Alcohol packs on the calories. Try the one-to-one ratio. For every alcoholic drink you have, drink a glass of water. You will consume fewer calories, feel fewer effects, and feel better in the morning.
- Put down your phone and turn off the TV.
What did people do before they were glued to their phones 24/7 or before there was always something to watch? They went outside for walks, did yardwork, read a book, hung out with neighbors, played football with the kids, had a family game night, and so on. All these things not only improve your physical health, but they improve your mental health as well. We were not meant to be slaves to our devices. Put yours down and enjoy life!
The holidays are coming, and they will be filled with fun, food, family, and good times. Prioritize your health and well-being now so that you can enjoy the parties without worrying about packing on the pounds or forgoing your exercise routine.
