Heading Off Winter Weight Gain Before it Gets Started

Must We Gain Weight Every Winter

It's that time of year we all start thinking about putting on a healthy layer of fat, just like the hibernating bears. From a nip in the air to a massive snow and ice storm, there is a palpable difference in the air. We've generally accepted that it is nature's way of helping us provide a little extra winter fat, storing up for the winter, just in case. But how long since you last had a food shortage or had to wait out the winter for your next meal?

This year can be different

Today consider making one small change. When you make a small change, it is easier to handle, you are more likely to incorporate it into your daily life and you are more likely to succeed, than if you try to make a global change to your whole way of being.

Instead of taking something away, start by adding more fresh fruit and vegetables to your diet. Just for today, throw out your rules, if you typically follow a diet that forbids fruit or fresh vegetables because fresh foods are too important to miss. Fresh foods are sweet, satisfying and full of vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids, and other things that your body requires for optimum health.

Choose a few fruits and vegetables you particularly enjoy. This time of year apples are great, citrus fruits, bananas are available year-round. Get some fresh fruits you like and start carrying a food sack everywhere you go. Try little packages of baby carrots, or cut up cauliflower and broccoli. A fellow I know always has a bagful of chopped cauliflower, carrots, and others vegis he munches on. That's smart.

Healthy Snacking

The idea with healthy snacking is that when hunger strikes (or what you think is hunger), no matter where you are you'll now have healthy snacks handy. No more having to buy a candy bar because you're famished. My choices for healthy snacks won't suit everyone, but that's fine. Choose other things that would work better for you. I enjoy things such as jerky, whole grain rolls or bagels, yogurts, and fresh fruits as I mentioned earlier. I almost always have an apple nearby.

It's not that you couldn't wait to eat, but what has forestalling your hunger done for you so far? It tends to set you up for later binging and out-of-control snacking. Eating a few healthy snacks during the day can end that pattern once and for all.

Follow This Plan to Healthier Snacking

Think of one or two fresh foods you could carry in a big or small cooler and then do it. As I'm writing this I'm a little hungry and I'm starting to think about having a snack. I might eat an apple, a banana or some jerky because they are all within my immediate reach. That's far better than not eating anything now, but instead deciding to "wait it out," while I start thinking about cookies and cake and pizza and other fast foods I can grab on the way home.

Going all day in a hungry or denied state sets you up for late night binging and out-of-control snacking. You'll never be able to make up for the earlier deprivation. Why bother. I've never met anyone yet who got fat from eating too much fruit, so be brave and give this idea a chance, and let this be the winter you don't gain weight.

By Kathryn Martyn, Master NLP Practitioner, EFT counselor, author of Changing Beliefs, Your First Step to Permanent Weight Loss, and owner of OneMoreBite-Weightloss.com

---

Preventing Overweight and Obesity ? Are You Responsible Enough?

Obesity is now assuming epidemic proportions. Worldwide there are over... Read More

Possible Pitfalls

There are as many reasons you've given yourself to eat... Read More

Is Diet Confusion Stopping You From Losing Weight?

Diet advice ? a million "experts", hundreds of snake-oil miracle... Read More

Drinking Water for Weight Loss

An article published in http://www.inch-aweigh.com mentioned, "If you are eating... Read More

The Band Fill--Adjusting Your LapBand

A fill is nothing to be worried about. The actual... Read More

Top Thirty Weight Loss Tips and Tricks

Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More

The Scottish Diet

(Ailsa's Apple Crumble Diet)I'm Scottish, so it's not a big... Read More

Obesity in Old Age May Disable, Not Kill

Many physical problems are related to obese condition, like difficulties... Read More

What Obesity Debate?

This is a perfect example of how on-line weight loss... Read More

Help! My Kids are Overweight!

If you have recently found yourself fretting over your child's... Read More

Drink Beer AND Lose Weight

Want to shed that beer belly? Why not try the... Read More

Criteria to Consider When Selecting a Bariatric Surgery Center

According to the American College of Surgeons, most severely obese... Read More

For Effective Weight Loss - Curb Hunger And Avoid The Binge

Curb Hunger and Avoid The Costly BingeEveryone's been there -... Read More

EFT for Weight Loss - How to Stop Eating from Fear of Not Getting Your Share

Do You Sometimes Eat Because You're Afraid You'll "Miss Out"... Read More

Failed at Weight Loss: Heres Hope

All Diets Work: No Diets WorkHave you lost weight in... Read More

Weight Loss Pills: Miracle Drugs or Money Wasters?

Losing weight is a lifelong commitment. It takes patience and... Read More

The Best Weight Loss Advice Youll Ever Get

"Who are you to give me weight loss advice?" I... Read More

Do You Make These South Beach Diet Mistakes?

The South Beach Diet works, for most people. Its low... Read More

Lose Weight With Soy!

The humble soybean boasts some extraordinary benefits. This nutritional powerhouse... Read More

Dieting? You Must Reset Your Weight-o-stat

You need to reset your weight-o-stat. No matter how much... Read More

Lose 104 Pounds In A Year

Did you ever think about the fact that losing 2... Read More

A Warning of the Complications of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery involves stapling the stomach to make it... Read More

Top 5 Most Popular Diet Programs Reviewed

There are many subscriber programs available both online and in... Read More

Young Wrestlers Fast, Sweat to Make Weight

Weight Loss Their Greatest Opponent --------------------------------- Before high school and... Read More

Why Did Your Diet Fail You? Or Did You Fail Your Diet?

Are you someone who has, in the past, been on... Read More

Weight Loss Problems ? Or is it a Self Image Problem?

Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More

Helping Your Overweight Child

With the rise of obesity and the increasing incidence of... Read More

South Beach Diet - South Beach Diet Plan Information

Perhaps you've had them too, nightmares about rice cakes, granola,... Read More

The Simplest Diet Plan Ever - 3 Easy Steps to Healthy Living

You've heard the popular advice on weight loss diets. Cut... Read More

Simply Weight Loss -- Losing Weight is Easy if You Stop Dieting

In theory, if you're starving, exercising less helps conserve energy.... Read More

Weight Loss Discipline

Why is it so hard to lose weight and keep... Read More

Bathing Suit Season - A Lifestyle Guide

To prepare ourselves for the Summer Sun we want to... Read More

Medical Conditions That Inhibit Weight Loss

Weight loss can be a difficult goal to achieve. Some... Read More