Winter weight gain blues

Causes
There are many causes, the cold is the number one suspect. When temperatures drop, we stay inside, our metabolisms slow to a crawl and we pack on the pounds.
But the conspiracy runs deeper than that. During the winter, we forgo low-calorie snacks for high-fat delights like crisps, chocolate, nuts and crackers, we get less sun which makes us feel down in the dumps. To combat those feelings, we gobble up carbohydrates, fats and sugars which us feel better. Fat is a great insulator and it really does a great job of keeping you warm.
 Before the days of forced air heating and good insulation, a few extra pounds could mean the difference between life and death. For most of us, however, freezing to death isn’t really a problem. We want to look and feel good.
How to fight it
Stay active: Exercise and a balanced diet are the shortest and safest ways to both looking good and feeling healthy.
But, there’s one aspect of working out that most of us fail to incorporate in our fitness regimen — while we take up aerobics, play sports, jog, cycle or walk, we do not accord importance to weight or strength training.
The prevalent attitude towards working out with weights is that we don’t want to look muscular and unfeminine. It’s a misconception that weight training is meant only to develop bulging muscles and six-pack abs for the men, and if you’re wondering how it helps women, read on to see how you can look fabulous with just a few minutes of working with weights every day.
Weight training helps strengthen your bones and prevent them from becoming brittle with age. You lose the flab in your thighs, around your waist and buttocks and on your arms when you train with weights.
Your muscles develop a toned look and you feel lighter and are able to move faster even though the scales may show that you’ve not lost too much weight. Your clothes fit better and you can come down to a smaller size even without losing more than a few pounds.
Working out with weights will also build your staying power and gives you more stamina to keep you feeling energetic throughout the day. You’re less prone to injuries and aches and pains when you exercise since your strong and well-developed muscles provide adequate protection to your joints.
 It helps fight against diseases like stress, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, back problems, depression and obesity. Strength training is beneficial for those above 35 as it prevents the natural decrease of muscle mass that accompanies the passing of years.
It keeps you strong even as you grow old. People who work with weights on a regular basis maintain good postures and carry themselves well. It will improve performance in sports at any level by increasing your flexibility, stamina and power.  With assistance from a gym advisor, you can establish a routine that’s right for your body size and weight, and start to work out with weights at least three times a week, no matter how old you are. Consult your physician first if you have any medical conditions or are under medication.
Manage food cravings: Keep in mind that a craving is only a feeling — it is not a command.
How you can manage winter food cravings
To maintain good energy and blood sugar control  — eat small meals or snacks every three to five hours.  Plan balanced meals: Your breakfast, lunch, and supper should consist of three things for balance.
Firstly a whole grain or starch such as brown bread or wholewheat, pasta or brown rice, potato or cereal; secondly a vegetable or fruit and thirdly a source of prot-ein such as meat/fish/poultry/legumes/nuts/eggs/soy/dairy.
The grain or starch and vegetable or fruit will provide the brain with sugar (carbohydrate) for energy and the protein will slow down how quickly the sugar goes into the blood and contribute to fullness.
Take time out: Before giving into your craving, have a glass of water or a cup of tea without sugar.  Most cravings fade within 10-15 minutes.
The temptation to give in to a craving becomes less frequent and progressively weaker when you outlast the urge. On the other hand it is sometimes important to have a bit of whatever it is that you have a strong craving for. It is also important to take time out and understand why you are eating. Stress, anger, sadness, habit, the smell or sight of food, and social environment are all triggers to eat, especially over the winter holiday months.
Avoid “all or none” thinking: As soon as you tell yourself you can’t eat certain foods that will be what you crave. Give yourself flexible eating patterns that allow for some of your favourite treats, while not giving into all your cravings. Make the decision not to go on a restrictive diet. Instead go for sensible balanced eating that includes all foods!
The Clarins Range of Body Products works in unison with your exercise and eating plans to enhance your body’s ability to remove toxins and eliminate fat! Remember to regularly keep exfoliating your body in order for your products to penetrate your skin most efficiently, try Clarins Smoothing Body Scrub for a New Skin. Whether you need to enhance your mood or shape up your skin, there are products to cater for your every desire.  Moisture Rich Body Lotion is highly recommended and a must have this winter.
A healthy winter warmer recipe:  Chicken broth
To cook your own chicken broth is not only satisfying but also a better option than using stock cubes.  This broth is without pretension — no fancy clear reduced stock — just a wholesome, flavourful broth with myriad of healthy uses.  Lift the chicken from the stock after an hour or so while the meat is still moist and tasty.
1.6kg whole chicken,
Olive oil for frying
2 onions, 1 leak, 1 stick of celery and 2 carrots (cut into chunks), 2 tomatoes
Peppercorns
Parsely stalks, thyme stalks, rosemary stalks, 3 bay leaves tied together
Heat some olive oil in a large stock pot over high heat.  Brown the chicken all over, take out and keep aside.  Brown the onions, leak, celery and carrots. Add the tomatoes, peppercorns and the chicken and pour enough water to cover. 
Bring the water to a boil and reduce heat.  Add the parsely stalks, thyme stalks, rosemary stalks, 3 bay leaves to the stock and gently simmer for 45 minutes skimming the foam that comes to the surface. Remove the chicken (allow to cool down and then remove the moist meat from the carcass.)  Serve slivers of meat on rice in bowls, bathed in hot broth with chunks of vegetables.  Strain the rest of the stock through a muslin cloth or sieve and let the the stock and left over meat cool down completely before covering and refidgerating.
Enjoy winter with Clarins whatever your needs are.
– For all your queries or to be added onto our database— missk@zol.co.zw