Winter Eating, YOU need to say Sane!

Fall is upon us and as the weather begins to change so do our eating habits and for most waistlines can and do expand. Yes, we tend to eat more richer and oh so heartier foods in the winter and for some the pounds begin to pile on and the tendency is to ignore this and worry about it come spring. Let's face it, in the winter we cover our bodies from head to toe with boots, sweaters and big and bulky clothes, I mean really who sees our bodies and with that thinking comes more I just will worry about it later and so we start eating desserts, chocolate and donuts that might be in the office.  Some women tell me that they do not even get pedicures till the spring time comes around, who sees their feet. While summer brings more craving for lighters foods such as salads and smoothies in the winter we tend to want more heartier foods such as stews, chili and meatloaf with mashed potatoes. Yummy!  Think about it, what  happens months before the summer even arrives.  In April some women and a few men tend to start on some crazy quick loss diets wanting to shed that winter weight. They cut out that winter food they enjoyed and now get on a regime of tons of water, maybe skipping meals and stressing out in order to lose weight and get into a bathing suit and shorts. That factored in with so many are much more active in the warmer months by  running, hiking and biking, taking vacations to warmer climates, hanging out at the local beaches eating a lot of our meals at outside cafes and restaurants. Yes, we want to lose weight rapidly to get into that bathing suit and feel comfortable. In the winter months who does not want to curl up on the couch in our pj's before it gets dark outside and just vegetate. My friend Diane and I  had this conversation not too long ago, she told me she tends to stay in over the winter months, every year puts on a few pounds but this year she has promised herself to stay more active and get out more. She does not want to isolate like previous years. I was curious as to how she would do this and she said she has joined some groups that are active all year long and she will make every effort to join them because isolating herself  leads to sadness and depression. She will also get a workout in daily and force herself to do it.  Great idea, Diane I hope you are listening?. YOU need to stay active in the winter, get to the gym, put in a SHAPELYGIRL FITNESS DVD and let us motivate you when is it freezing outside  and not feel sorry for yourself that it is cold outside and for heavens sake do not sit and sulk and EAT! This is the year you will not hibernate like a bear in a cave. Yes, while it is more comforting to  stay indoors and either read a good book, watch TV or play on the internet  then get to the gym for a workout  this year it is time to get up and off of that couch and move your body.  So, with all of that said  it stands to reason that with the change of climate comes a different way of eating and cooking. Here is what I have learned after many years of working with women in all seasons of the year. YOU do not have to gain weight in the winter as a lot of women do. First you need to control yourself and now is the time to get ready for the winter months. Plan and prepare and do what you need to do till spring gets here again.  Oh and did I mention in all of this the holidays creep in and then most of us can go insane for 6 weeks.....NO, NO, NO this is the year of your WINTER SANITY, who is with me?

Enjoying the darkness!

Now that the weather is changing with mornings becoming chillier and the sun is taking forever to shine in the early morning I am finding it harder to get moving. Years ago I could open my eyes and in a flash I would be out the door doing something that involved any fitness activity such as running, biking and training for the next race or even teaching a fitness class but alas today I would rather enjoy the morning and stay in the moment. I have always been a morning person and while I still love the early mornings, at his point in my life I do not feel the need to burn out before 9am. Today, I have slowed down and adjusted my life to enjoy the peacefulness and calmness of life in the wee hours of the morning and I must admit I love it. What a moment of life I am living these days. While I still get up  between 5-6am I love to be quiet and enjoy what the day may bring. Prayer is how I like to start my mornings and taking the time to read scripture while just enjoying that simple cup of coffee. I am finding that I love to start my day this way. Yes, I can honestly say that  I no longer feel the need to run out the door for fear of not getting it all in. The other day I actually had a thought "I will get to the world when I get there".  Wow, what a difference from the younger woman I remember I was many years ago. I want to feel the days as I mature in life. While I still have a lot of energy and look forward to the future and the new journey that I am looking forward to with a lot of hope I am beginning to see the world around me and how fast it is moving but I am choosing to slow down to see who and what is around me. I do not know about you but in the past few years I have been questioning my existence, my passion, my life and what is happening in the world. Here is what I am learning about my life while waiting for the next move. First, enjoy the moment for what it is. Then while  waiting for the next journey do what you can to improve our passion in where you are going. Be patient and above all follow the dream~ Hey, I have to go, I am running out the door to teach a class! Be Blessed~