Avoid These Foods to Lose Weight during Winter Months

One of the most common questions we are asked at Strength School is: What do I eat to lose weight?

My answer to that question actually changes depending on the season of the year, because your body changes with the seasons, just as every other living creature on the planet. Humans are a very unique animal, but we are still an animal. And when we don't change some things about our lives with the seasons, we create health problems for ourselves. 

First of all, do not eat fruit during the winter months. There are very few fruits in the midwest that you can harvest in the winter - our bodies were not made to eat fruit all year. I am not saying that fruits are not healthy - they are. But you do not need to eat them 12 months every years, especially if you want to lose weight in the winter months.

A jumbo cream puff from Schmidt's German restuarant in Columbus, Ohio. My fiance and I split this during a weekend trip to Columbus in October. No more desserts until March for us though.

Second, lower your overall carbohydrate intake during the winter months. Dropping fruit helps, but you also need to lower your intake of grains, cereals, breads, rice, and pasta. Again, I am not saying that those foods are bad, but I do not think you should eat them every day during the winter.

Third, sleep more!  With less sunlight, our energy levels naturally dip during the colder months. We have a greater urge to go to bed earlier and sleep longer - why fight it? Do the best you can to get in more sleep during the winter. That could be naps on the weekends, going to bed earlier and/or sleeping in later. I know that many of you are incredibly popular people with a full schedule, but even a few extra hours a week can really help promote good health and, as a bonus, weight loss.

-Shane