by Heather Russell

Created on: February 04, 2008

It's almost a given that we'll all put on weight over the winter. Between holiday parties, cold weather that makes it hard to stick with an exercise routine, and our bodies' natural inclination to store fat in the colder months, gaining weight during the winter may seem inevitable. However, with a little planning and the right mindset, you can keep yourself healthy and trim right through the spring!

Get out of the house:
We all know that sitting around on the couch can lead to unwanted pounds, especially if you're the type of person who likes to snack while watching your favorite shows. However, this kind of inactivity can also negatively affect your mood, leading to even more unhealthy choices. Make a point of getting out of your house, even if only on weekends. Try finding activities that let you be active; on a sunny, chilly day, take a walk downtown and window shop to burn calories and clear your mind. If the weather is looking ugly, take a trip to your local mall and briskly walk around a few times; you'll get your blood flowing and get a chance to check out the latest fashions. If you live in a city, now is a great time to visit that art museum you've been meaning to check out; the combination of keeping your body and mind active will be doubly invigorating!

Re-discover your kitchen:
This tip may seem counterintuitive; the kitchen is often the LAST place you want to be if you're trying to lose weight, especially in the colder weather when warm comfort foods like macaroni and cheese or creamy soups are calling your name. However, the winter is a terrific time to try your hand at healthy recipes; you're stuck inside anyway, and just think about how great your apartment will smell! Look up recipes for broth-based soups with lots of vegetables, and keep your eyes open for ways to make them healthier. Always choose low-sodium broths, and experiment with whole grains like barley instead of less-healthy options like egg noodles.

The winter is also a great time to cultivate a love of tea. With your local baristas offering gourmet hot chocolates and sugary ciders, you may be slurping hundreds of extra calories a day. Herbal teas, both with and without caffeine, offer a variety of flavors from mild to fragrant, and can be personalized with a touch of honey, a squeeze of lemon, or some cinnamon. As a bonus, the antioxidants in many teas will leave you feeling much healthier than the sugar and/or fat in your favorite coffee drinks.

At home:
In the colder months, it can be tempting to dress up in your favorite sweatpants (you know, the ones with the very forgiving elastic waist), wrap a blanket around your shoulders, and camp out on the couch until the middle of March. However, by just getting off the couch for a few minutes a day, you can rev your metabolism and your mood by trying a few fat-blasting exercises. Keep free weights, a yoga mat, an exercise band, a jump rope, or whatever exercise equipment you're comfortable with in front of the television. Decide that, during your favorite program, you will use the commercials as workout times. Challenge yourself to do crunches for the entire stretch of ads, jump rope for the entire commercial break, or perform a set of several different weight-lifting exercises.

If you need some motivation to stay in step with your diet and exercise plan, crank the heat once a week and walk around in your favorite summer outfit (just make sure to close the blinds first!). The reality check of seeing your flesh freed from its layers of sweaters, combined with the reminder that spring is just a few short months away, will help keep your mind and body on track to a healthier you!

Learn more about this author, Heather Russell.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.