Healthy Habits to Manage Your Weight This Fall

October — it’s all about escape from the heat of summer, cooler nights, the harvest, tailgate parties, and comfort food. It’s also all about temptation if you’re trying to lose or manage weight. Here are some healthy weight management habits.

At HealthyU Clinics, we specialize in medically supervised weight management, so we’re your ready partner when it comes to controlling the seasonal challenges that autumn throws your way. Unlike some other bad habits, you can’t simply quit eating.

Instead, it often comes down to altering your relationship with food as much as the particular foods you eat, or building more activity into your already action-packed days. Everyone’s weight management journey is unique, so the solutions are too. Here are some healthy habits we’ve assembled to help you manage your weight this fall.

Add activity

Summer has its own temptations, ice cream and lemonade and picnics and barbecues, so you might be showing signs of that this fall. One of the advantages of summer, though, is that it usually comes with more activity to justify your appetite.

Come the fall, we tend to move indoors a little more and pace slows down. Days are still busy with work, school, and everything else so you may think it’s impossible to find 150 minutes a week to add exercise.

When you think of it as 15 minutes, twice a day, five days a week, though, it’s not so daunting. A brisk walk, time on an exercise bike, or a few laps in the pool and you’re good to go. Extra activity is a great way to stabilize your appetite, mood, and weight.

Take advantage of the bounty

Fresh foods taste best in season, and fall is prime time for many delicious food options. Build the healthiest vegetable choices into your menu rotation using healthy recipe preparations. Paired with lean proteins, you’ve got the makings of delicious meals that make the season special while sparing your waistline.

Food inventory

Resisting temptation is easier when there’s nothing there to tempt you. A great habit for weight maintenance uses periodic food inventories. The change of seasons is an ideal time to sweep through the cupboards, fridge, and pantry for those heavily processed foods that often play the role of diet breakers. If they aren’t there, you can’t eat them.

Control your cravings

Sometimes, sudden cravings can be the biggest weight management challenge you face. Changing blood sugar levels, irregular meals, and busy schedules often add up to sudden attacks of the munchies when you’re surrounded by less than ideal food choices. Planning ahead can help. Carrying a baggie of nuts and dried fruit can kill a salty urge while a few pieces of dark chocolate may take the edge off your sweet tooth. You’re buying yourself some time to get to the next healthy meal. Control the portions to avoid an outright binge.

You don’t need perfection. Weight management is all about progress. When you need help, talk to our team at HealthyU Clinics in Arizona. Contact the nearest of our offices, by phone or online, to schedule your consultation today.