Five easy ways to stay healthy in winter
Now, no one is suggesting you do anything crazy…
Photo: Getty/ Stock
Real talk: staying healthy in winter is hard. And getting to the gym? Well, it can be excruciating. But seeing as winter is, well, a quarter of the year, it’s not really an option to write off the entire season. (As much as you – um, we – might like to.)
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by all the things you’re not doing, focus on making small “lifestyle updates”. Now, no one is suggesting you do anything wild. (And yes, before you ask, it’s still fine to eat from every food group.) Here, personal trainer Ben Ezekiel, co-founder of BeFit, shares some easy and achievable health shortcuts you can incorporate into your routine. Simple, really.
1. Eat less CRAP!
C – Carbonated drinks
R – Refined Sugars
A – Artificial Sweeteners
P – Processed Foods
2. Don’t skip the burpees
High intensity training is the most effective ways to burn fat and the king of bodyweight exercises is the burpee. It’s simple to do and all you need is floor space. No leaving the house required! Our tip? Set a timer for 60 seconds and try and knock out 10 burpees a minute for 10 minutes. You’ll feel amazing… after the fact.
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3. Use a timer
This is the only tool you need, and you probably already have one on your phone. Do a benchmark workout – whatever that might be for you – and time yourself. Each week revisit the same workout with the simple goal of improving your time.
4. Get moving
Sitting at your desk from 9 to 5 can sabotage your health. The easiest and most effective way to break the cycle is getting up every hour and going for a walk. It doesn’t need to be a long walk, it could just be around the office or up and down the stairs. “Motion creates emotion” so every hour on the hour get up and move!
5. Be concious of what you eat after you exercise
When you exercise your body uses up glycogen – a type of carbohydrate used for energy – from your muscles. A post-workout meal should contain carbohydrates such as whole grains, starchy vegetables and fruits. You also want the post-workout meal to contain a complete source of protein.
RELATED: The sneaky ‘health foods’ that are actually unhealthy.
July 20, 201610:26am
