5 Tips to Help You Get Moving this Season
Ever wonder why you gain weight over the fall/winter? Sure, some of the blame can fall on the trifecta of indulgent holidays – Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s – but that’s not the only reason. Sometimes the weather is to blame. After all, who wants to go out when it’s dark at 4 p.m. and freezing outside? Instead of letting the season get the best of you this year, consider a few of the following tips to help beat those winter blues, and avoid the shock when you step back on the scales!
1. Shop for New Clothes
Yes, we mean outdoor clothes that you can exercise in. Just because it’s less than perfect outside doesn’t mean you can’t get some exercise! With a small investment in some base layers and waterproof clothing you can keep up your routine longer, which means less time for the winter pounds to accumulate.
2. Find a New Wavelength
Sometimes the problem isn’t necessarily the weather, but just the feeling like you’re in a rut. So break out! Discover a new type of exercise – dance, yoga, weight training, etc (many of which you can do from home!). Simply Youtube exercise videos and there are tons of classes you can discover!
3. Evaluate Your Diet
If a lack of energy is the culprit behind your lack of mobility then you may want to consider making some adjustments to your diet to compensate. Many times the change in seasons can result in a Vitamin D deficiency, so pick up some fortified orange juice or plant-based milk and start your day off right. You can also consider adding more B6 and B12 to your daily intake which will help increase energy levels and reduce fatigue. If you are a vegan, a good source of B12 is fortified rice milk, and B6 has many sources including chickpeas, baked potatoes, and rice bran. Iron deficiency is also common (not just for vegans, but everyone), and it can lead to serious fatigue. Opt for foods rich in iron like spinach and dark leafy greens (yep, Popeye was right), beans, tofu, or a plant-based protein powder. Our organic 22 Days Nutrition protein powders contain up to 35% of the daily recommended amount of iron for adults.
4. Find an Outdoor Sport
There are just as many outdoor pursuits in the winter as the rest of the year, so now is a great time to try a new sport! Ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, downhill skiing; there are so many options. Perhaps grab a few friends before you get started (of course, practice social distancing!), so you can all help each other “learn the ropes.” When you come back in from the cold, refuel properly with a clean protein shake or a whole food snack that contains replenishing carbohydrates, muscle-building protein, and a small amount of unsaturated fat. Skip the beer or après ski hot toddy.
5. Work from Home (standing up!)
They say sitting is the new smoking, and we believe it. Sitting down too much can cause obesity and a cluster of other conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels — that make up metabolic syndrome. Luckily for you, standing desks are becoming very popular this year, and for a good reason! If you don't want to splurge on a new standing desk, try working form the kitchen counter.
Take Action!
It doesn't really matter how you decide to keep fit this winter, the important thing is that you take action! The hardest part is to get started, but once you do, it's much easier to keep up with a new routine. A healthy diet will also provide extra motivation and energy to get out the door (or actually power up your Peloton bike). Our 22 Days Nutrition organic plant-based protein powders are the perfect addition to your morning oats or post-workout smoothie. With flavors such as Chocolate, Strawberry, Peanut Butter, and Vanilla, they can even serve as a nutritious sweet treat when shaken up with non-dairy milk or water. When you fuel right, you can break out of that winter slump. Now get moving and start this year off right!
