How to Shift Annoying Winter Weight (From Someone Who Knows)

About five years ago, I changed up my complete eating habits and lost about 10kg. That is a lot of weight to lose, and sometimes when I think about it, I can barely believe it. However, it happened, and I really like knowing that I did it all by myself. Just before I left Korea, the weather was incredibly cold and wintry, which led to me eating for three and putting on winter weight like it was going out of fashion. I put on approximately 4kg (this is my rough estimation) during my time there, mostly concentrated in the freezing winter months. However, since I am now living in balmy Malaysia, the weather is regulating my metabolism and I am feeling the need to eat light.

So, I thought I’d share my advice for any of you wishing to do the same. 

Sometimes weight loss seems like a scary thing that is so far out of reach, it’s just not even worth trying. But that is wrong, friends! Don’t listen to that mean voice in your head! Everyone can lose weight (I’m talking healthy, reasonable weight loss here), all you need to do is follow a series of logical steps – and be consistent.

What’s first?

Well, it makes sense to focus on what you put in rather than what you put out, right? What I’m referring to here is that age-old debate over whether to emphasise diet or exercise. Let me clear this up for you right now: diet is king.

Yes, exercise is important for toning your muscles and getting that tight, ripped, cheesegrater abs look (not that I’ve ever had that), but honestly, why make things hard for yourself by having to work off a whole bunch of fat first? It’s much easier if you naturally lighten up by regulating your diet, and then use exercise to complement whatever weight loss you desire. Trust me, this is the easiest way – and when it comes to weight loss, I’m all about convenience.

So, what should you do?

1. Replace soft drink/milkshakes/any other drink with water. This is pretty self-explanatory, but it works a treat. We all know that soda and other sugary drinks mess with our health in big ways. The worst part is that you don’t even feel like you’re consuming calories (which is usually a joyous experience), so it just leaves you sort of hollow… but not at all, at the same time. Stick to drinking water whenever you can, and your body will thank you for it.

2. Eat fruit as a snack. This is one of the best ways for me to lose weight while enjoying delicious food, and you should try it too. One of the things I am quickly learning about Malaysia is that the food here is awesome, and the fruit is no joke. You can get a cup of freshly cut pineapple for 2 ringgit, and there are tropical fruits (and every other kind of fruit, it seems) available at fruit shops nearby. It seems a lot more accessible than Korean fruit, which I initially didn’t mind but towards the end of my stay, got a bit frustrating (because of the lack of variety and availability at times). When you start thinking of fruit as a proper in-between-meals snack, your body will thank you for it. Plus, fruit is delicious!

3. Focus on eating more vegetables. I find weight loss works best when you’re not thinking about it too much. I know, this is easier said than done, and may even seem counterintuitive, but I promise it’s not. A watched pot never boils and all that. So, instead of focusing on what you can’t have, make sure you’re getting enough of what you should always have (and can never have too much of) – veggies.

There’s three of my easiest, quickest ways to lighten up naturally and healthily. What are some of your tips? I’m currently trying to get back into eating healthily and living cleanly, so any advice would be much appreciated!

Steph x