How to Eat Well Year-Round
Eating nutritiously year-round is the best way to keep off those extra winter pounds. It will also help you lose excess weight, give your body the nutrients it craves, and make you feel good!
Here are some exercise tips to help you say "goodbye" to those extra pounds forever:
#1 Try to stick to a 1,500 to 2,000 a day calorie diet.
Yes, calories do count. If you're unsure what your caloric intake should be (as it can vary from age, sex, and even height), enlist your doctor's help or ask a nutritionist.
#2 Eat a well-balanced variety of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
You don't need to become a vegetarian, but including as many fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet as possible will bring you a plethora of benefits.
Substitute fruits and vegetables for unhealthy snacks and calorie-laden desserts. Can't find fresh fruits during the winter months? Frozen fruits with no added sugar are a good backup choice.
#3 Keep your portions at acceptable levels.
Don't pile on that food! Just because fast-food restaurants are supersizing everything, it doesn't mean you should too.
#4 Eat good carbs.
Many fruits, veggies, legumes, and grains are full of the good carbohydrates your body needs. They're also high in vitamins, fibers, and minerals and free of cholesterol.
#5 Drink water.
Every cell in your body needs water to function properly. Drinking lots of water will not only keep you well hydrated, but it also can help you lose weight. For example, a glass of water before a meal can help you control overeating.
Summary
Don't feel like you have to make each of these changes tomorrow. Sometimes when people make too many drastic changes at once they have a harder time sticking with their plan.
Work on making one or two of these changes each week to get used to them. Before you know it, these weight-loss strategies will be second nature to you and you'll avoid those pounds altogether!