Stop Winter Weight Gain!

(BlackDoctor.org) — Here’s a depressing piece of information: Americans put on half of our annual weight gain during the winter months. Granted, that’s just two pounds a year, but research shows that people don’t lose it as things warm up. And if that happens year after year after year…well, you can do the math.

It’s much easier to not gain weight in the first place than it is to lose what you’ve put on. Ward off winter weight gain the easy way with these tips.

1. Cut Down on Your Screen Time
Turn off the TV and the computer and enjoy your meal without distractions. Making an effort to be mindful, no matter what you’re eating, can help break the tendency to overeat—and help you feel more satisfied. In a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, participants who ate lunch without distractions felt fuller 30 minutes after eating, and ate less when they snacked later, than people who played solitaire on a computer during their midday meal.

2. Move More
Even fitness fanatics are discouraged by the winter weather. Here’s the good news: you can significantly increase your overall calorie burn with everyday activities—so called “incidental exercise.” Unpacking the car for 10 minutes burns 30 calories. Straighten up the house for 20 minutes and use up 62 calories. Skip the escalators and elevators: 10 minutes of stair climbing burns 107 calories. Shoveling snow for 45 minutes will torch 342 calories.

3. Indulge Your Cravings
In moderation. Studies suggest that feeling deprived—even if you are consuming plenty of calories—can trigger overeating. And making any food off-limits just increases its allure. So savor a small treat: it won’t break your diet! Two squares of dark chocolate or 1/2 cup of (nonpremium) ice cream clock in at under 150 calories.

1. Prev:Obese vs. Overweight: 6 Ways To Tell The Difference
2. Next:How To Spot Weight Loss Scams