Six tips to staying fit during winter

By Toby Giles, Personal Trainer & Fitness Expert
 
1. Water, water and more water! Even in winter it is essential to drink lots of water. Aim to drink 1.5 – 2 litres a day – this helps maintain a healthy body weight by increasing metabolism and regulating appetite.

2. Avoid craving fatty foods. Always prepare your lunch and snacks the day before (or the morning before) work as you are more than likely to buy less healthier, more fattier foods when you are hungry or in a rush at lunch time. Cold weather make us more likely to crave unhealthy, stodgy foods – planning ahead will reduce your risk of caving in!

3. Add in exercise to your day. Changing your daily regime ever so slightly will have a positive impact and help you on your way healthier lifestyle. If you live within 20 – 30 mins walking distance of work, try to walk as often as you can. If you have to catch the bus/tube get off two stops early and walk the rest of the way, and if you have to drive always park in the furthest parking space or car park within walking distance away from work. This extra activity will make a noticeable difference.

4. Exercise with a friend. If you are finding it hard to motivate yourself to get off the sofa, ask a friend involved and exercise together. This not only makes it fun, but if you both make a note of your targets before you start you can have a little friendly competition to see who hits their targets first. This will also guarantee that you stick with your exercise plan through the fitness ‘honeymoon’ period of January and hopefully stay with it for the rest of your life.

5. Fire up your metabolism. Contrary to popular belief, a fast or slow metabolism is not a gift or curse you are given at birth. It is easy to blame your metabolism for weight gain, but in reality, we are not the victims of our metabolism, rather we are the creators of our metabolism. While vast calorie restricted diets literally destroy your metabolism, a properly designed exercise and nutrition plan can dramatically fire up your metabolism and make you burn more calories all day, every day.

6. Eat little and often. Remember all food/calories eaten in excess that your body does not burn WILL BE stored as fat. Eat little and often (every 2-3 hours) to keep your metabolism burning all day long.

Contact Toby Giles at: www.tobygilespersonaltraining.com