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The evenings start to close in, you find yourself reaching for both the thermostat as well as the television remote with greater and greater frequency. Then you wake up one morning and yes the car windscreen is frosted over.

How did that happen?

Wasn't it Summer five minutes ago?

Suddenly it's too cold, too wet, too dark and to your horror your weight starts to creep up. The question becomes on of how to avoid those three or four weeks of hell at the start of the Summer so you can wear that gorgeous skimpy sun-dress you love so much again?

There are three key points in avoiding the looming holiday bulge becoming six months later a holiday embarrassment.

First, eat well. Any dietitian will tell you that eating well is not just the key to feeling healthy but also the key to maintaining a healthy body weight. Don't skip meals especially breakfast. It says a lot that Sumo wrestlers avoid eating breakfast as it helps them to maintain the massive weight that gives them their fighting edge. Eat balanced meals that means some meat and a lot of vegetables, not a steak that overhangs the plate on all sides and one sad, lonely, overcooked carrot for garnish.

Second, rest and exercise in the right amounts. Half an hour to an hour of exercise a day will go a long way to helping you keep that flat tummy and tight bum. It doesn't need to be half an hour of blasting your body in the gym either. Any exercise that raises your heart rate is good for your circulation, for your sense of wellbeing and will help you to burn off some of those excess calories. A brisk walk is good, jogging as well, cycling even a round of golf if you don't dawdle. Do what you will enjoy. But don't forget resting well is an important part of exercising, so sleep at a regular time each night and avoid excessively long lie ins. Your body will thank you later.

Finally, avoid snacking excessively. A bar of chocolate now and then is good for the soul but as depressing a season as Winter is it's very tempting to make it a bar or three a day. To make this easier try snacking on low fat items instead, your local health food shop will be happy to guide you to something delicious and healthy. What ever you do don't snack heavily before sleep as your body will convert far more of this to fat than if you ate it while awake and active. A glass of milk and a cookie is fine and of course good for the soul. A glass of milk and a pack of cookies may well lead to you being asked to play Santa or Mrs. Claus later on.

So that's it eat well and enjoy the flavors of a balanced diet. Exercise and enjoy those wonderful happy chemicals it will unleash in a torrent on your brain as well as the way it will make your body feel and look. Treat yourself but be smart about when and how much. Do these, exercise just a little common sense and come the summer that sun-dress will slip back on just the way it should.

Learn more about this author, Harper Gallagher.
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