Don’t Let Cold Weather Slow You Down

The weather guys are saying that this weekend, the eastern half of the country will experience the coldest weather of the season so far. While that’s great news for those of us who like to break out the thick sweaters and stadium blankets and head to football games, or snuggle in front of roaring fires, cold weather can often be bad news for those of us on weight loss programs. It seems as if whatever mechanism goes in motion in the early spring to make us want to lose weight goes into reverse when the mercury starts to drop. So here are three tips to help keep you on your toes—and on the right path to weight loss—as the temperature starts to get colder and the days get shorter.

Don’t Hide Under Baggier Clothes. All those sweaters, hoodies and longer dresses that come out of storage during cold weather can hide weight gain. Be sure to look at yourself—and weigh yourself—in the kinds of clothes you wear in the summer, which tend to be lighter and more revealing. That way, you won’t be surprised next spring when the weather warms up.

Beware of Warm Beverages Masquerading as Calorie Bombs. Yeah! Fall is here and with it comes hot chocolate and pumpkin spice lattes and even peppermint lattes. All delicious, and sometimes capable of dropping half a day’s worth of calories on you in one serving, especially if you super-size and add whipped cream. You can still enjoy the flavors of the seasons, just be sure to order them made with with skim milk, watch the added sugar and skip the whipped cream.

Don’t Forget to Exercise. Yes, that thermometer (or weather app) might say it’s chilly out, but don’t let that deter you from getting your movement. Wear a fleece and a hat on your walk—within five minutes you’ll be toasty warm. Or slide back the coffee table and do your exercises and yoga moves right in front of the TV. Many malls have walkers clubs, and gyms often offer seasonal memberships. Keep moving! It’s a great way to fight off the seasonal blues, too.