Practicing a healthy lifestyle should be a priority to every person in the United States. Maintaining a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet are the best things you can do to support your long-term health goals. You have to work at it every day in order to stay healthy.

When the weather starts to turn colder and the holiday season arrives, it can be even harder to stick to your goals with all of the delicious food and distractions available to us.

We can help you stay on track! Our team at AFC Urgent Care Clemson outlines a few tips below on how to stay motivated to exercise and eat well this winter season.

How Can I Stay Moving This Winter?

One of the challenging things about maintaining a healthy weight is that it is not something you can achieve and then stop working toward. It takes work every day, all year round! The CDC recommendation for adults is 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week. While that may seem like a lot, think of it like five 30-minute workouts a week.

When the temperature dips outside, it can be hard to lace up your shoes for an afternoon run or walk or get into a chilly car to drive to the gym. We are so grateful for the internet! There are many free or low-cost exercise classes or routines online that can be easy to follow. You can try yoga, cardio classes and even dance classes all from the comfort of your own home! It’s also important to note that exercise doesn’t always have to look like the traditional class or gym environment. However you move your body and increase your heart rate can be beneficial.

Cold Weather Exercise Ideas

• Ice skating
• Indoor rock climbing
• Cross-country skiing
• Indoor cycling classes
• Outdoor shoveling or raking

What Are Some Good Foods to Eat During Winter?

Coming off of the bounty that is summertime produce, it can be hard to continue to pick up produce from the store if you know it’s not as fresh or grown from your own garden. We can also fall into the habit of reaching for comfort food at this time of year when it gets cold outside.

Did you know that canned and frozen fruits and vegetables are still packed with nutritional benefits? They have a great shelf life and can be easily added into a variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Root vegetables like potatoes, turnips and carrots are also in season at this time, making hearty soups a great choice as well.

Healthy Comfort Meal Ideas

• Broth-based soups with a variety of vegetables
• Sheet pan dinners with lean protein and vegetables
• Fish like salmon
• Smoothie bowls with berries, yogurt and chia seeds
  

Taking control of your health is crucial all year-round. If you need advice on how to incorporate these ideas in your daily life, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Clemson.