Staying Off The Couch This Winter

I originally wrote this article for the lovely women of MsTech. Learn more here: ms-tech.co 

Old Man Winter brings time for friends, family and celebration. It’s time for get-togethers, gift-exchange and making memories.  So, why do we turn our attention to the dessert table and throw caution (and calories) to the wind?  Shouldn’t time with loved ones be enough to fill us?


Unfortunately, the stress of the season can zap our willpower and bring out terrible foot habits.  Combine sweet treats and forced social situations with subzero temperatures, and a healthy food and fitness regimen becomes low on the priority list. Cookies are comforting and the couch is warm.  When we’re stressed fatty foods and the safety of home feel a lot more friendly than the gym.

But, extra padding and unrealistic (and often forgotten) New Year’s weight loss goals don’t have to be your fate.  Here are a few tricks to help you stay on track when the temperature drops.

1. Try a Group Fitness Class
   
   

Group fitness is a great way to stay social and active during the winter.  The social element is a great way to combat wintertime blues. Participating in a group setting keeps you motivated and accountable.  Listening to a skilled instructor helps you to focus on your body, instead of watching seconds tick by on the elliptical machine.

1. Vocalize Your Goals.
   
   

It’s not enough just have a goal. Share your goal with a friend or family member.  Saying something out loud is more sticky than simply thinking it.  You may have heard that you should write your goals down on paper. That’s a great trick. But, if you’re anything like me, that post-it note will get stuck the pocket of your jeans and die a watery death in the washing machine.  TELL someone your goal. Get your goal out of your head and into the world. Plus, you will associate seeing this person with achieving a positive goal and find motivation to stick to it.

1. Best Your Own Best Friend
   
   

You can’t take care of anyone in life if you don’t first take care of yourself. So, treat yourself like your best girlfriend. Exercise, healthy eating, and positive self-talk promote energy, wellness and boost confidence.  Wouldn’t you want your best friend to feel fabulous all the time? Well, look in the mirror and tell her so!

1. Embrace the Cold
   
   

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but here it is.  There are plenty of great winter activities that don’t involve egg nog or love-handles. Bundle up and get out there. Take a weekend trip to a nearby ski hill (we may be in the Midwest, but Wisconsin and Michigan have a few notable places). Take a turn around an ice skating rink, or tune into your inner-humanitarian and shovel the walkway for an elderly neighbor.  Need some “me time”? Take a walk through a park, and marvel at nature sleeping under a white blanket.

1. Give Yourself a Break
   
   

So, your pants are a little tight come January 1, is that really the end of the world? Nope!  Every day is a new day to begin again. Trash-talk only compounds the problem. Cut the negativity, and get back in the game.

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