AS WE steadily reach the end of September, it is all too obvious that winter is looming. With nights drawing in and the want to stay in bed in the morning ever growing, there is no wonder our lifestyles start to change. The days are shorter, nights longer and the house becomes cosier. We cover our previously-bronzed legs with baggy jeans and cuddle up in big warm jumpers. Swim suits, shorts and mini skirts are put away once more as we hide our bodies under our winter wardrobe and start to hibernate. It is almost like nature’s way of saying ‘don’t exercise and eat what you want’! This is the time of year when leaving the house to go to the gym or exercise class really takes some motivation. Not only that, but a warm hot chocolate, biscuits with your tea or a nice stodgy supper become very appealing and hard to resist. Before you know it December is approaching, you have gained a few pounds and so you start frantically dieting ready for all the Christmas festivities. Okey, so what you need to do is take a step back, have a look at your lifestyle and see if you can identify where, when or how it might change. By doing this you can prepare yourself for every eventuality. Let’s look at exercise: the gym is too difficult to get to, you either walk there but it’s getting dark and you don’t feel safe, you don’t feel as though you can leave your warm house once you’re in it or you are using dark nights as an excuse to be LAZY!!!! What you can do: Go to your exercise session straight from work, that way you won’t have chance to settle down before you go. Buy an exercise video, plan a home programme or have some alone time with you and your partner (yes it’s true, lots of calories are burned during this activity even if it’s just a quick fumble!) Diet: we often store chocolate, packs of biscuits and bags of crisps around the house as treats to ourselves every now and then. It may be a big bowl of ice cream or a piece of toast with lashings upon lashing of butter on, which comforts you. What you can do: the best way to prevent comfort eating is to simply not store your favourite treat in the house. Buy your food when you know you are going to consume it, make a list at the beginning of the week of the food you need for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a couple of snacks such as fruit and nuts and maybe one or two treats. That way when you go shopping you have a clear idea of what you need to buy and when you’re going to have it. This will not only help with your waist line but will keep those purse strings tight during the credit crunch. So to stay fit and healthy through winter you have to be determined and have a lot of will power but most importantly be prepared! For more information e-mail at miles. healthier@hotmail.co.uk or check out my new website www.anyone-can-do-it.com | 
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