Exercising with the seasons
Exercising with the seasons
Each season offers occasions to get outside and seize exercising opportunities. You don't have to go for a run or hit the baseball field in the summer (very un-French), but you can take an easy bike ride or go for a joint-friendly swim. Spring and fall's cooler weather makes those seasons ideal times to walk and cycle. And the best way to incorporate exercise into your day is to make such activities part of your routine: Walk to the local fruit stand and cycle to an appointment.
Then there's winter. Even though Canada is a winter wonderland, with opportunities to ski, sled, skate and enjoy other cold-weather sports, it's simple to hibernate all season long. "Winter is the toughest time," Guiliano agrees, "but you can do a lot in your home, from breathing exercises and aerobics, to yoga, stretching and even dancing, which is a superb and fun exercise. There are plenty of classes on television that one can follow and get a good dose of movement."
Year-round advice
While weight issues are no longer limited to North America, the continent is certainly a poor example of a healthy lifestyle. Guiliano points to a number of factors contributing to growing girths here and abroad:
-Processed foods filled with corn syrup and fat
-Over-salted and over-sweetened foods
-Fast food and cheap restaurant meals with big portion sizes
-Not eating at the table, which usually means gulping down food while multitasking and not allowing the 20 minutes required for your brain to register satiety
-Not moving enough
-Not drinking enough water
-Too many hours of sedentary television-watching
To combat what's quickly becoming an obesity epidemic in North America, Guiliano suggests incorporating the following into your lifestyle, no matter if it applies to eating or moving and regardless of the season:
-moderation
-variety and;
-pleasure.
"It will lead to balance, harmony and a wonderful sense of well-being," she explains. "If you feel well, it will affect the people you are with and the work that you do, and it will certainly contribute to a happier frame of mind."
More to explore:
-Andrew's ingredient of the month: Seductive strawberries
-Top weight-loss tips
-Portion control made easy
For more nutrition news and smart tips for healthy eating, visit our Nutrition section.
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