Every year the average American will gain eight pounds of body fat from September through about mid January.
There are several reasons for this, the first one being that the body has a natural biological tendency to store fat when winter approaches, it is just an adaptation to the environment. Before the invention of grocery stores we humans had to hunt for our food and during these months food was scarce. We not only ate less, but we moved less thus putting on on fat. Over the years we have had less reason to hunt but more opportunity to eat! We still tend to to move less in the winter months despite all the modern conveniences of heated gyms, pools, indoor cycling classes, home gyms, you name it the opportunities are there. We use the “cold” weather as an excuse to stay in when we should be walking, running, hiking or playing with our four legged buddies in the park!
What to do about this? It all starts with stating a simple goal in writing, “I will be leaner by January 1, 2012 than I am now”. What does it mean to be “leaner”? It means that you will make a commitment to do your strength training, walk or run 3 times a week and perform at least one Interval program a week. Thus losing body fat and developing stronger, more dense and toned muscle.
Once you start this commitment to fitness, you will want to eat healthier. Throw out the junk! Stop eating crap! Increase your water intake, have protein with every meal and snack and do not eat too close to bed time. Oh, and set a time for bed- any time before 11pm! Get your rest, you’ll thank me years from now.
I am urging every one of you to have a plan every day as to what you will eat and drink, when you will work out and when you will get to sleep. Take back control of your life before someone else does.
Till next time- Train Smarter. Live Better