Most people in colder climates gain a few pounds in the winter, and that’s ok. It becomes a problem when it’s a significant amount of weight. Weight is hard to lose, it’s a lot easier to not gain it in the first place.
Continue running or walking outside.
Sun exposure and vitamin D are important for mental health. Seasonal depression can lead to an unhealthy diet or overeating. Buy some winter running shoes and clothing. There are plenty of good running days throughout the winter.
Be more disciplined with your diet since you’re probably running less.
Get used to meal prepping. It doesn’t take that long once you have a system down. Have a healthy go-to meal that you eat regularly, even if you aren’t exercising.
Get groceries delivered on occasion.
Having healthy food in the house is half the battle, and it’s more of a burden to go grocery shopping when the weather is cold.
Join a gym.
This one is obvious. It’s a nice way to get out of the house and avoid cabin fever when the weather is bad. It’s also a good opportunity to focus on some non-running workouts.
Sign up for a spring race.
Even if it’s a short race, it will give you some motivation and create a goal to work towards.
Stay hydrated.
Dehydration can sometimes be confused with hunger.
Be reasonable with your alcohol intake.
It’s full of empty calories and usually leads to poor food choices.
Eat before parties.
There’s a lot of parties in the winter: office holiday parties, New Years Eve, the Super Bowl, etc. If possible, eat something healthy beforehand so you don’t go overboard with junk food.
Remember that you can eat significantly less if you’re running less.
I sometimes get used to eating large meals when I’m running high mileage, and it can be difficult to transition to smaller meals.
Think about whether you’re actually hungry or if it’s something else.
It might be boredom, anxiety, stress, or lack of sleep.
