HAZY SHADE OF WINTER

First order of business, I would like to recognize Simon & Garfunkel as inspiration for the title of this post.

Here in America (yes, I actually have readers from 5 other countries...welcome, and thank you) it is winter time. Also, many seasons of celebration. If you are like me, it is also a time of significant weight gain. It seems it happens every year, all sensibility gets thrown out the window and then after the new year, we resolve to lose weight, but we never do. At least we never reach our target weight. We have many excuses, it's the holidays, it's too cold to exercise, I only see these people once a year so I'm going to enjoy it, etc, etc, etc.

Then, on top of everything else, we have the cold and flu season. If you get the flu with a fever you may actually lose weight. But if you just have a cold then you have to feed it, usually with lots of chicken soup. Remember, "starve a fever, feed a cold". So again, you toss out sensible eating habits (at least I used to do that). 

Well, so far I've weathered the winter pretty well. I've gone through Thanksgiving and a bout with a cold, along with hitting a plateau and I've still managed to lose weight. I still ate my chicken soup, but accounted for how many calories it had and made sure not to exceed my calorie limits. This worked. I recovered. I didn't work out while I was sick, but I still was able to lose weight. It seemed before, I always gained weight while I had a cold.

I also think that our bodies go through a transformation during the colder months. We were meant to eat more lean proteins. Think about early man who had to hunt for food during the winter and had no access to fruits and vegetables. So if you find yourself eating more proteins but less fruits and vegetables, there is probably a good explanation. So, just watch your calories, allow yourself some "free days" during your celebrations, and get out there and exercise (just like early man who had to chase his dinner through the woods), no excuses. I guarantee you will feel better.

My "free days" are going to be Christmas eve and Christmas day, where I'll eat anything I want, won't count any calories, and won't feel a bit guilty about it. This will be the first year ever where I've actually lost weight during the winter. I hope you do to.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all faiths and religions, and if you are Atheist (hey..I don't judge), I hope you enjoy losing weight during the winter.