HYDERABAD: Winters is the time when along with woollies we also pile on kilos. Though those four-five kilos spring out of nowhere leaving us blissfully unaware of their arrival. These forgotten pounds don’t make an appearance until New Year where they make a cameo in the form of New Year resolution--only to be forgotten soon afterwards. While enjoying the cosy comfort of winter, and nursing all your cravings, do remember that your shorts and vests have been put away only temporarily and that winter lasts barely a month in Hyderabad.
City Express talks to experts who tell you how to watch your weight without losing out on the cooler yummier delights of the season.
Pilling on kilos
It is a popular belief that we need to eat more to stay warm. Dr M Gayathri, clinical dietician at Apollo Hospital (Hyderguda), says its a myth. “Since the temperatures are low, people feel if they eat fatty and high calorific food they will not feel cold. While fat does act as cushion, it is not advisable to overeat as we don’t engage in sufficient physical exercise to burn it. So it is more of a psychological thing,” she explains.
While winter weight gain can be anything between two to six kilos, a lot of women don’t even understand that they have piled on a few extra pounds. “Only women who religiously monitor their weight realise that they have put on weight. Cravings for fried, fatty and sweet delicacies take over the exercise plan. With the digestive system working better in this season, people tend to eat more,” opines Madhurima Sinha, chief dietician, Care Hospital and adds that lack of exercise due to the chill only make matters worse for the body.
Winter Blues
Foodies can vouch that nothing is more comforting than food. And, food is what most people take refuge in. Psychologist Diana Monteiro puts it this way,”Apart from the drop in temperature, winter also means gloomy mood for some people. In cooler climates, seasonal affective disorder caused by prolonged absence of sunlight is common. Though this is not applicable in the southern part of the country, a lot of people do feel low and resort to over eating to make themselves feel better.”
Keep weight woes a bay
While it may seem to take a lot of effort to throw off those covers and hit the gym, with few small and smart modifications in your daily routine, you can keep weight issues at bay. “Cut down on tea and coffee intake and replace it with several cups of warm water and tea. Your urge for fried and spicy food can be satiated with cabbage, carrot and tomato soups, add pepper and chillies to it for flavour. You can also consume the whites of two-three eggs,” Dr Gayathri advices.
Madhurima says if one eats enough fruits and raw vegetables and engages in some amount of physical exercises it is just enough to keep winter weight in check. “If hitting the gym is difficult for you, ensure that you jog or walk for 45 minutes or workout at home,” she says.
While hiding that bulge and extra rolls underneath a baggy sweater may be tempting, in the long run it’s better to keep your weight in check.