by Nancy Lynam

Created on: December 01, 2008

Winter weight...by my definition, it is the dreaded and inevitable extra pounds that seem to show up even when we are sure they won't. As time goes by and years pass quickly, rest assured that unless you are one of the very few who were blessed with a perfect metabolism, winter weight will show up. You may not know it until you go to put on an article of clothing that you know fit you so well last year. This happens to most of us. With a little effort, I have consciously worked on a plan of action to try to avoid this dreaded "winter weight"!

As I am aging, I find weight to be more and more a problem...probably because I am less and less active. This year as winter approaches, I decided to jump start my efforts to NOT put on this extra "winter" weight. If nothing else, it will be one less thing to take it off when winter heads south. My idea on how to acheive this goal is to eat a bigger breakfast. This isn't so easy for me since I am not a "breakfast" person. Usually coffee or tea is sufficient, but this plan is proving to be a good decision so far. My goal is to eat quality protein such an an egg, perhaps poached over a whole-grain slice of toast. I may also decide to add a small bowl of oatmeal which I have found really sticks with me most of the morning. Adding a piece of fruit has proved to be a good choice too. I may select a small apple, a half of banana or some grapes. In addition to whatever I eat, I have a cup of tea or coffee. All of this is eaten without guilt. It actually feels healthy. Another added benefit is that I seldom have cravings. I have read where dark chocolate is extrememly healthy, so if I do have a yen for something sweet, I can eat a small handfull of dark chocolate morsels which quickly satisfies me. I have also made a point of not buying any cookies, cakes or chips.

As I see it, I have plenty of things to do in the earlier part of a day. There is laundry, bed making, maybe some vacuuming and always going down a flight of stairs to the basement several times a day to feed the wood furnace. If it snows, I may go and shovel the porch steps and sidewalks often so it is less of an effort than waiting for the snow to stop falling. I drink plenty of water during the day although I don't keep tract of exactly how much. After breakfast, I also take my vitamins. This whole routine usually energizes me for several hours.

Instead of lunch, I may grab a handful of nuts and a small piece of fruit. A couple of whole grain crackers and a few ounces

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