| Winter is on its way, bringing with it colder weather, | | | | Resist the urge to spend the colder months |
| darker evenings, and coughs and colds. You may find | | | | 'comfort-drinking' hot drinks such as tea, coffee and |
| that you develop an urge to hibernate in front of the | | | | hot chocolate; staying well-hydrated is just as |
| TV through the colder darker months, nursing a box of | | | | important as in the warmer weather.o Do not overeat; |
| biscuits, and a mug of cocoa. But NO, you need to | | | | the colder weather encourages some people to eat |
| stay fit and healthy to prepare for the autumn and | | | | more. Avoid hunger pangs by carrying healthy snacks |
| winter. The fitter and healthier you are, the more | | | | wherever you go; bananas, apples, rice cakes. Eat 3 |
| resistance you will have to colds and infections, and | | | | modest meals a day with a mid-morning and |
| you will be less likely to suffer seasonal depression. | | | | mid-afternoon snack. Remember, the advent of winter |
| Ignore this advice at your peril, or you may find | | | | does NOT mean you have to eat gravy on |
| yourself suffering from Christmas party BLUES; all of | | | | everything!o Watch less TV; it is easy to fall into a |
| your best clothes have shrunk, and you have nothing | | | | serious telly-watching habit when the evenings are |
| to wear except your emergency jogging bottoms | | | | darker. There is a direct link between television hours |
| which are distinctly more saggy than sassy. Now is the | | | | watched, and weight gain. Watching TV late at night |
| time to re-evaluate your health and fitness; it isn't too | | | | may also affect your sleep, leaving you feeling sapped |
| hot/cold/dark and the kids have gone back to school, | | | | in the morning. In stead, use the time to do things which |
| SO WHATS YOUR EXCUSE? No more putting it off | | | | you CLAIM not to have time for, such as cooking |
| until next week, dust off those trainers, clean out the | | | | fresh food, and organising yourself for the next day. |
| fridge and the cupboards, and prepare your body for | | | | Organization may be the key to making your lifestyle |
| autumn and winter!o Start each day with a good | | | | healthier, and avoiding stress.o Autumn is the time of |
| breakfast; eat porridge, or uncooked oats with | | | | harvest-home, and seasonal bounty; go to the farmers |
| skimmed milk, wheetabix, or organic muesli with no | | | | market. You will be astounded at the range of fruits |
| added sugar. A poached egg on wholemeal is a | | | | and vegetables on offer at this time of the year, all |
| fabulous choice if you have the time, but if you are in a | | | | bursting with goodness, and waiting for you to enjoy |
| rush grab a banana or a smoothie. Eating breakfast will | | | | them.o Learn how to say no! If you do everything that |
| help control your weight and your mood!o Get outside | | | | is asked of you, you will not have the time to shop and |
| walking every day. Some of you may leave for work | | | | cook healthily, or get more active. School terms have |
| in the dark, spend the day under artificial lights, and | | | | started and Christmas will come; you may be |
| leave for home in darkness. Even spending the day in | | | | inundated with requests and expectations, and |
| doors can mess with your bodies natural rhythms, | | | | sometimes there just isn't the time to take on extra |
| affecting sleep patterns, wellness and mood. Go for a | | | | responsibilities such as helping at football clubs, or |
| brisk walk during daylight, invest in outdoor clothes and | | | | making costumes for school plays. Say no to requests |
| an umbrella and use free time and lunch breaks to get | | | | which will leave you feeling stressed and time-poor. |
| some exercise and expose yourself to fresh air and | | | | Never give a reason why you can't do something as |
| light; you will feel better for this.o Try something new! | | | | this leaves a gap for people to suggest a way of |
| Motivate yourself by looking for a new way to stay | | | | getting around the problem, trapping you into accepting |
| active; look out for salsa classes, belly dancing, ballet, | | | | the request. |
| Pilates,netball clubs, anything; just give something new a | | | | I hope that this gives you some ideas to avoid |
| go, it may be a talent you never knew you had.o Drink | | | | seasonal vegetation and provide seasonal motivation, |
| more water, especially during and after exercising. | | | | Ciao! |
