02 February 2010

Losing Weight In Winter: Achievable?

I'm not sure. Think about it for a second. In the summer months salads are all the rage. Fish too. Fruit abounds and veggies are growing! It's like the cornucopia of good for you food. But what about winter?

Bears put on weight and then sleep through winter, but they need that extra weight for the sleeping, and the cold. Most animals, it should be noted, also bulk up for the winter cool down. My parent's cat certainly does.

My roommate and I are trying to be good about what we eat, this includes eating more salads than other things. But when you get home from work and the 30 degree weather, the last thing you want is a cold bowl of lettuce in your stomach. What you really want are the stick to your bone type dishes that fatten you up. Why? Because we're animals, people! We want to bulk up for the winter when it's too cold outside for skinny--er--sane people. Our natural instinct is to go for the chili and stews and leave the light-weight food for the animals (where some would argue it belongs).

So imagine my dismay when Punxsutawney Phil decided we had 6 more weeks of this hell to go through. Thankfully, my dear friend Newt sent me a link to the wiki page for Groundhog's Day. A quick tally of the 14 groundhogs represented found that the majority are predicting early spring! Take that Phil! (9 to be exact. Which is right at the 2/3 majority line.) So I'm planning on that early spring now.

Bring it on.

8 comments:

Katie said...

No. Winter is definitely for gaining weight. That's how we're meant to be.

I honestly just wish we could hibernate.

Xan said...

It's so not fair. :(

Katie said...

Just try to embrace it pup. Like going into the fall so that you somersault instead of trying to resist and hurting yourself.

And then embrace the summertime foods and sunlight and energy too!

It will all balance out...

Xan said...

I suppose. But now is when I have to start training again. No more excuses so eating healthier becomes more important now too. *sigh* Like you said, it will all balance out.

Redoubt said...

I've lost weight this winter, but pretty sure it's due to health problems.

Katie said...

Well you can still eat healthful foods that feel more hearty. Thick stews with vegetables and lentils and barley, whole grain rolls with butter. Oatmeal pancakes topped with sliced bananas and a little dollop of whipped cream. Pita stuffed with hummus and tabbouleh and fresh falafel. Obviously I don't eat like that always (in fact, at particularly low points in my life, I've been known to just eat some spoonfuls of syrup in lieu of dinner and then go to bed). But my point is that salad isn't the only nutritious food out there!

Cristina said...

Amen to Newt. My risotto didn't have very much bad stuff, had lots of good stuff, and was very tasty.

Xan said...

Right, and that's what I try to do. Find better options that will give the same effect. Still sucks. Cuz the comfort (winter) foods I crave are not meant for getting in shape. Oh well.