Winter in New England can be a tough season. With large amounts of snow, cold weather, and holiday eating; it is very easy to stay inside and pack on the pounds. So many people lose their nutrition and training results because they let things slide in the winter. Even though these are valid concerns, do not make them into excuses and reasons for not training and exercising. Staying active in the winter is important. Many people do not like to exercise inside all the time so the key is variety and fun. If you enjoy running, biking and walking outside in the summer and fall, you may need to find some inside activities to supplement this in the winter. Join a local YMCA and start a swimming training program. Swimming is one of the best full body workouts that you can do. It is low impact, uses all major muscle groups, and develops great cardiovascular fitness. Other great indoor conditioning workouts include jumping rope, bike sprints, and stair sprints.
In terms of strength training, you should be training 2-3 days per week. If you have trouble staying motivated, train with a friend or join a personal training group. My small group personal training clients love the motivation and accountability they receive from training with me and 3 other people at the same time.
Going outside in the winter is not an impossible task either. If you enjoy walking, simply bundle up, grab a friend and enjoy the crisp winter air. This can be very refreshing and you will also burn more calories as your body tries to stay warm. Running outside is do-able, just find some streets that are cleared off, be sure to layer up with dry fit clothing and drink plenty of water.
Winter sports are also a great way to stay fit. Skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing are all great exercise options. Hitting the slopes or going out on the trails with friends can be fun and you will burn a lot of calories staying warm and moving up and down the mountains and trails.
Holiday eating can be another big issue when it comes to weight loss and fitness training in the winter. Parties, dinners, and other festive occasions can put a damper on your nutrition plan. Stick to the plan as much as you can. Fill up on fruits, vegetables, lean meats and proteins, whole grains and healthy fats such as avocados and nuts. Have snacks before you leave for a party to avoid overeating. Cut out as much alcohol as possible as this leads to excess calorie intake and overeating. Drink plenty of water and do not skip meals to compensate for a party or dinner that night. Just eat your normal intake during the day and pick and choose what you have at the parties; do not overindulge.
Try these simple tips to staying fit and eating healthy in the winter. Do not fall off track and use excuses simply because it is cold and the holidays are coming up. Have fun with training and exercise, stick to your goals, and you will see results.
