Watching Your Weight in the Fall
By Kristyn, age 20, Massachusetts
Sweet Designs Staff Intern
Sweet Designs Featured Writer
It's that time of year again ... when you're tired, cold, getting sick, and craving yummy fall foods!
It's normal to want comfort foods in the colder weather, but it's good to remember that too much of these foods can result in weight gain. If you're intending on putting on some weight, then it's not as much of a worry as for those intent on losing a few pounds.
Everyone gives into cravings, and that's okay. It is important to remember that if you starve yourself from bad foods, your body will get frustrated and eventually want to overeat a lot of those bad foods.
One of the best things to do to help this problem is get yourself a food journal. In the food journal, write down everything you eat in a day. Don't be afraid to write down your weaknesses as well. Sometimes it is good to remember the bad things you ate so you can tell yourself to not repeat this every day.
Another advantage of a food journal is that you are able to write down how many calories, carbs, and grams of protein you take in per day. If you maintain healthy eating habits, and engage in exercise 4-5 days a week, you should be able to maintain a healthy goal weight.
If you want to shed a few extra pounds, increase your exercise routine, and decrease your intake of processed foods. If you feel like you constantly need a snack or munch on something, fruits and veggies are a great thing to have. If it's boring to you, then add a little something "extra" on top to spice it up. Of course, apple pie is what we want, but choosing to have a few slices of apple with some cinnamon or peanut butter is a better alternative.
There are simple tips that will reduce your calorie intake a great amount. If you tend to like sugary drinks, substitute your normal juice drink with a Crystal Light mix. Another important suggestion: if you enjoy breads and starches, try to switch from white breads to whole grains. These carbs are the "better" carbs for your body.
Some of these things may seem like a lot of work. However, the more you maintain your weight in the fall, the easier it will be to fit into that bathing suit come spring!
