Fit For Good: Cozy Up to Winter Without the Extra Calories
Editor’s Note: Between the lockdowns, the holidays, and Winter blues, it’s easy to lose track of where all the pounds are piling on. For this guest feature, we’ve asked Sharon O’Donnell, the Founder & CEO of “Fit For Good” to give advicesisters.com readers some advice and encouragement to win at losing!
There’s still time before swimsuit season arrives!
What is it about the winter months that causes us to crave comfort? The cozy fires, the fuzzy socks, the plush blankets, and of course, the yummy food… Each season has its distinct “feel”, but there’s something about winter that triggers that hibernation instinct and the desire to pamper ourselves. And let’s face it, after the year that 2020 has been, we absolutely deserve some serious pampering.
While we should indulge in all of the little creature comforts of winter, it’s the food cravings that tend to leave their lasting mark as we transition into spring. Those extra inches on our waistlines are ones we can always do without. Life is meant to be enjoyed, so restricting our diets to a state of misery isn’t the point. However, being more conscious of what we’re nibbling, sampling, and sipping throughout the winter, tends to do our bodies good for a variety of reasons.
Being healthy has never been more important – a global pandemic has a way of reinforcing that message!? Eating a more balanced diet can boost your immune system during the colder months, which always helps to fight the common cold and flu. Eating well provides the nutrients our bodies require and helps us manage those pesky cravings.
Just as important as what we’re putting into our bodies, it’s also critical to keep our bodies moving during these chillier months. Yes, it’s hard to give up that comfy spot on the couch with your snuggle buddy, or furry friend, but staying physically active is a must.
Keeping those winter pounds at bay can be challenging, but with a few helpful tips, you’ll manage the winter months without that extra carry over. Here are some ways to keep yourself healthy and full of energy:
1. Conscious Eating:
Yes, it exists. But oh how easy it is to reach for a bite of this or a handful of that…am I right? We often don’t even realize what we’re doing until the bowl is empty or the cheese is gone. These are the carby, starchy, sugary snacks that usually zap our energy and pack on the pounds. Yes, yes, they are delicious, and it’s not to say that you can’t have them, just carefully manage the amount and frequency of your intake.
2. Conscious Drinking:
You knew this was coming. If we can unconsciously eat, we can absolutely unconsciously overindulge on those adult beverages. And with the hunkering down that we’ve done over this past year, it’s been near impossible to forgo that extra glass or three. Like with food, unconscious imbibing leads to tons of extra, empty calories that push that waistline in the wrong direction. Cutting back on a glass here and there throughout the week will result in much less calories that need to be burned.
3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate:
Since we’re on the topic of drinking, we cannot float by the importance of keeping your body thoroughly hydrated. There are so many benefits of drinking water – from regulating body temperature, to delivering nutrients to your cells, to cleansing your insides, to keeping your skin supple…the list goes on. Start in the morning and don’t stop until bedtime. Try to drink 64 ounces throughout the day and set a reminder on your phone to keep you guzzling. You will feel fuller and be less inclined to snack.
4. Fruits, Veggies, Greens, and Nuts:
This is not new to any of us, yet we tend to look the other way when given the choice between good-for-you food and Chinese take-out. Or pizza. Or a pound of pasta. Again, we shouldn’t deprive ourselves of those foods, but we should be loading up on the kinds of foods that deliver protein, vitamin c, calcium, zinc, and healthy fats. Write yourself a list of the foods you prefer from each of the four food categories listed above. Make it a goal to ensure you get a serving of each every day. You’ll be getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs to keep our immune system healthy, and your cravings for all those comfort foods will subside.
5. Graze Like a Pro:
An easy way to keep your intake in-check is to manage how much you put on your plate. Ever go to a party and watch those guests that build their appetizer plates like it’s a game of Jenga? It’s always so impressive to witness their stacking abilities. However, you will be much better served by taking the smallest plate and filling that plate once (no stacking). You will be surprised that your body will be satisfied after two to three bites of any one item. Always take the crudité and skip the dip.
6. Move Those Muscles:
The Fit For Good App is a coach-designed fitness and nutrition plan. Earn points and unlock achievement badges as you make progress against your fitness and nutrition goals. The more badges you earn, the more Fit For Good donates to charity.
Staying active is simply a must-do. This doesn’t mean get outside and run six miles (though kudos to you if you do!). It does mean do your best to fit in 30 minutes of exercise a day. Yes, leaving that cozy fire is really hard, but you don’t have to go that far. There are so many workouts that can be done from your living room – no equipment needed! Whether you want to work on strength or cardio or your core, you can get a full-body workout done in a half-hour.
How about bundling up and taking your furry friend for a nice long, *brisk* walk (they’ll love you more for it). You can also keep your body aligned, and your mind relaxed with a good yoga practice. Cycling is another way to be active. Add a cycling power meter to your bike if you want to measure your power and endurance. The key to your success is to ensure you plan your fitness like it’s a meeting, a date, or coffee with a friend. You’d show up for all those engagements, so be sure to show up for yourself.
Winter is a wonderful time of year to rejuvenate. Following these simple steps will help keep your body balanced, your energy higher, and any weight gain far more manageable. Savor this time of year, rest up, and enjoy the beginning of what has to be a better year ahead. Stay healthy!
About Fit For Good:
Fit For Good was started in 2018 by Founder and CEO Sharon O’Donnell, and is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Fit For Good aims to build a healthier future for this generation and the next by turning personal fitness goals into lifelong habits. The goal of Fit For Good is to provide an easy, straightforward way to help members create a healthy lifestyle – while helping others.
Charity:
Every month, a portion of membership fees help provide fitness and nutrition programs for schoolchildren in need through DonorsChoose.org.The company was first debuted at the 2018 Innovating a Healthier Future Summit as one of five startups invited by Partnership for a Healthier America. Since then, Fit For Good launched nationally in early 2019 and has since expanded its offering to include a corporate wellness program for small and mid-sized businesses.
For more information, please visit https://www.fitforgood.us/
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