In winter, pump it up

Mona

Too hard to get out on a cold, dark and foggy morning? Too many temptations to let go of the scheduled diet? Too lazy to take out the work-gear?

Well, agreed that given a choice many of us would rather not leave the cosy bed and just binge during winter. But aren’t we forgetting that the best of summer bodies are made in winter?

Been slacking on schedule? Don’t be too harsh on yourself; this is the time when even the fittest go under the winter workout rut.

Here are some handy tips for winter workouts.

Slow & steady

Even if your approach has been to go for six-week intense boot camp to look prim and proper right before summer, you cannot deny the fact slow and steady keeps you in good stead. Shorter duration workouts are harsh on body, tough on diet. Rather work now and go easy. “Any significant and sustainable change in your body doesn’t happen overnight (or even over a few weeks),” shares Chetan Sharma, ex-Mr Chandigarh, and ex-Mr Punjab. In fact, this fitness freak is sweating it out for Mr World 2018 in this dead cold.

Eat right

Fitness expert Gaurav Sood emphasises the importance of diet as much as of exercise and believes in taking middle path. “I start by asking people to control the portion size. If you ask to cut down completely, it becomes impossible for some.” he insists. When one gets results, one is motivated to keep healthy habits.

Short bursts

High intensity interval training is a fad still going strong in 2017! A long run with spurts of sprints, run with a mix-and-match of stairs, squats or push ups, drills designed to suit individual requirements, not only pumps up the metabolism, but also ups the athletic ability. Usually designed for less than 30 minutes, they are low on time given and high on output.

Going under a professional trainer is what is highly recommended. While one can follow videos, whether the posture is correct or not only a professional trainer can tell.

Vary the drills

Monotony can prove to be a silent-killer. If you haven’t started still, start with something fresh. Something you have never done before. Since there is time, you can try, adapt; reject a few strategies. Even when you chose a workout, keep varying the drills. Inject some freshness and fun into your workouts.

Avoid ghee

Keep away from too much ghee! Dietician Neelu Malhotra warns strictly against it. “Ghee worked earlier when people did most of the work manually. Now chores have largely been relegated to latest gadgets, about time we make a move away from fat too.” Also, stay away from panjiri; dry fruits are okay but anything deep fried in ghee only adds up the calories. Totally avoid if you are not going to burn it all.”

Go for veggies

Winter is colourful time in the vegetable world; add them to your diet. “Mix grains —wheat, corn, jowar, bajra and knead them with grated vegetables — shalgam, gajar, mooli, gobhi, giving your rotis a heathy twist,” suggests Neelu. Added fibre will keep you full and lessen the temptation to go for fried stuff.

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