Do you get depressed in the winter? Do you stay inside and binge eat? Nobody likes a case of the winter blues, especially if it causes you to pack on a few pounds… And spring break is just around the corner. Here are some tips to keep off winter weight gain and look good for spring break.
1. Set a regular exercise schedule.
Exercise is one of the best ways you can stay slim. If you make a routine of going to the gym at the same time every day or even every week, you’re more likely to do it. Make a note of it in your agenda. Set alarms on your phone. Any type of reminder will motivate you and get you to actually do it.
Also, don’t make the excuse that you don’t want to walk to the gym because it’s cold outside! Put on your big ski coat and suck it up. You walk to class don’t you?
2. Don’t go to Cookout after the bars!
Yes, Cookout tastes especially great at 3 a.m. but you don’t really need it. You already ate dinner before you went to the bars so those late night extra calories are not worth it in the morning. Plus, you’ve already added more calories from the alcohol. Go home, drink some water, and go to sleep! Don’t ask your beeper to go through the drive-thru. They don’t like it and you won’t like it when you’re trying on bathing suits either.
3. Walk everywhere.
We live in Boone. It’s easy to get around pretty much anywhere without a car so avoid driving as much as you can. Walking burns more calories than you think. FitBit’s aim for a person to walk 10,000 steps a day if they want to continue to eat regularly. And 10,000 steps may not seem like a lot but it’s more than you think! Don’t get in your car and turn your butt warmer on. Walk!
4. Choose the right foods.
I know we’re all broke college students, but lately a healthy meal is just as expensive as a cheeseburger. Fruits and Veggies is now open on King St. with great prices on healthy foods. Get your favorite produce and make a whip up something healthy. And if you’re looking for warm foods to heat you up when it’s cold outside, don’t just choose anything. Make a vegetable soup or make some oatmeal to give you warmth.
5. Rethink your winter drinks.
Eggnog, hot chocolate, and gingerbread spiced lattes might be your first choices but those drinks have more calories than most meals. And you don’t need the fancy whipped cream on top either. Choose drinks like hot tea or plain coffee. If you do splurge on one of the fancy drinks, at least get the small size. A lot of the medium sized drinks are 500 calories or more. That’s a lot of calories for one drink! To lessen the calories some, use skim milk, sugar-free syrup and Splenda or another sugar alternative.