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Why Do We Gain Weight During Winter?

gain weight during winter

Have you noticed that you tend to gain weight during winter? While there are many factors at play here, is it true for everybody? If you’re one of those who gain weight during winter, it is best to know why it happens and take necessary measures to prevent it!

Let’s Analyse Why We Gain Weight During Winter

  1. Less Water Intake: As we aren’t thirsty and neither do we sweat as much as we do during summer, we tend to drink very little water which makes us lethargic and fatigued. The usual signs like dry and flaky skin is an indicator that one is not having enough water. We use moisturisers instead and not increase water intake which gives more room for frequent infection and dehydration leading to headache and dry cough
  2. Not Exercising Enough: With the pleasant winter chills, it is a little difficult to get off the couch or bed. This leads to fewer calories being burned and as a result, weight gain!
  3. Increased Production of Melatonin: Less sunlight and shorter days affect our hormones and some people tend to produce more of the hormone melatonin which controls our sleep-wake cycle. This increased production of melatonin induces sleep when it is not the time to sleep, making one lazy, lacking motivation and energy. It also increases appetite and leads to eating more.
  4. Increase in Metabolism: While this sounds great, it doesn’t really support your weight loss goals during winter. The sudden increase in metabolism will burn more calories to keep you warm but it will also make you hungrier.
  5. Staying Indoors: makes us lazy and bored. When bored, we begin binge-watching followed by binge-eating comfort or fried food which is high in sugar and salt. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that this contributes to weight gain as well.  

How Do We Prevent Gaining Weight This Season?

There is an effective way to break the vicious cycle of more sleep, less healthy food and little to no exercise! Here’s how you can avoid gaining weight during winter.

  1. Choose Foods Wisely: Choose healthy, home-cooked meals such as soups. Opt for green tea. You can even add natural spices to your meals which are warm and benefit your health. Choose foods which can be paired with others or can be eaten any time of the day. Swap options like sauces available in markets to homemade hummus or dips.
  2. Pick a Hobby: Concentrate on other things like hobbies, sports, painting or reading books. You can even clean your house if you’ve been postponing it. Do something that engages you instead of finding comfort in food.
  3. Time Your Sleep: Maintain sleep timings which will set your circadian rhythm and help you stay active through the day or take power naps in the afternoon instead of sleeping for long hours
  4. Exercise: Plan indoor activities and exercises like yoga, skipping, stair activities which will help you be active more regularly. In fact, you can tune in to GOQii Play and browse some indoor workouts by fitness experts or yoga and meditation by yoga specialists. You can even opt for making group plans which have less chances of failure. If you can’t find a group, join our LIVE, interactive, GOQii PRO sessions conducted by experts within the GOQii App. 

That’s all! Mind what you eat, sleep on time and exercise regularly to not gain weight during winter. We hope you found this article useful! Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

For more on weight loss, fitness and being healthy, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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Can Running Lead To Muscle Loss?

running lead to muscle loss

Running is excellent cardio workout and a popular form of exercise. It is a simple way to stay active, improve stamina, build stronger bones and lose extra pounds. Running does not have great prerequisites, just determination and the correct technique can help you get started. It is a proven way to lose body fat, but can running also lead to muscle loss? There are some myths around this area of running. Let us look into the possibilities and know what happens to your body when you run. 

Does Running Lead To Muscle Loss? 

Running is an endurance activity which means it uses the aerobic energy system to generate energy. Glycogen and fat stores are majorly used to provide energy during the run duration. The switch between glycogen and fat uses some amino acids for short term energy use. In case of a low fuel store or adequate energy availability, muscles are broken down for energy. If you continue running in this state, your muscle mass decreases, causing fatigue, muscle injury and dehydration. 

What Can You Do To Prevent It? 

  • Balance your diet: Diet should be well balanced in carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Plenty of vegetables and fruits should be included to get the nutrients for muscle building. 
  • Plan on pre and post run meals: Having a pre-workout meal can support your energy during a run and keep your glycogen levels up to the mark. Muscles continue to breakdown after an exercise, so a good post workout meal aids recovery. Having foods high in carbohydrates and proteins will prevent muscle breakdown and promote muscle building. 
  • Focus on protein intake: It is recommended to have 0.8-1g of protein for beginners and 1.2 to 1.5g per kg of body weight for seasoned runners. Having protein in post workout meals will promote muscle protein synthesis.
  • Incorporate strength and resistance training along with running, to improve your muscle mass. High intensity running, like sprinting, improves muscle mass and should be incorporated in the training. Weight training with a good diet will increase your muscle mass and muscle endurance capacity. 
  • Stay hydrated to prevent muscle cramps and injuries: Make it a point to keep on drinking water every 10-15 mins to keep up with the fluids lost while sweating. You can also add electrolytes, coconut water or sweet lime water, if you’re planning for a half marathon or more. 

Preventing muscle loss is definitely avoidable by following correct training and a good diet! We hope this article helps you. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below! For more on muscles and fitness, check out Healthy Reads or book a live, interactive, online session, conducted by certified experts on GOQii PRO through the GOQii App. 

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Does Lifting Weights Build Mental Strength?

build mental strength

Exercise helps maintain healthy weight, control sugar levels, strengthen muscles and bones, and most importantly, it improves fitness and keeps you healthy! It also has an effect on our mental strength as it improves mood, helps in relaxation and lowers depression. This happens because the brain releases neurotransmitters called endorphins which regulate positive feelings and keeps the mood up. 

What Is Good Mental Strength? 

Having good mental strength means to have logical and realistic thinking patterns, decision making power and this helps manage your emotions and behaviour. Many studies have proven that people suffering with anxiety, mood disorders and depression benefit from including exercise in their routine. Hence, following a regular exercise pattern is essential to maintain mental health and improve mental strength.

Mental strength is as important as physical strength and the good news is that both can be improved with exercise. Hitting the gym or going for a run helps people suffering from heartbreak, loss of a loved one, less self confidence, as after training they report feeling good and positive by investing their energy in a positive place. 

How Does Exercise Help? 

Aerobic exercises like running, cycling, swimming are well known to reduce symptoms related to mental disturbances like stress and anxiety. Regular aerobic exercise improves blood flow to the brain and helps to strengthen brain health and memory. The increase in core temperature during aerobic exercise results in calmer mood after the activity. Aerobic activity even for 20mins a day results in positive mood and thoughts throughout the day. 

How Does Weightlifting Help Build Mental Strength? 

Weight training uses weights or external resistance for exercising. It is used to train and strengthen muscles, improve posture and bone structure, boost metabolism and help in better sleep. Lesser known benefits about lifting weights includes improvement in mind-muscle coordination which is an essential part of exercise. This coordination is associated with cognitive function of executive functioning which manages our command and control skills. Lifting weights also improves memory and cognition related tasks. It results in a realistic pattern of thinking, taking smart decisions and regulating behaviour. It also provides a sense of self efficacy and boosts confidence. 

Resistance training is a highly effective way to manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. Because what benefits the body, benefits the brain. Just like lifting weights causes muscle gain, the brain has the capacity to change itself in response to internal as well as external influences, which is known as neuroplasticity. In the presence of weight lifting, the brain becomes active, hormone production and neuron production increases. All of this together improves mental strength and helps the individual recover from anxiety or depression along with the therapy. 

Weight lifting teaches you to live in the present and be more mindful as lifting requires a lot of concentration and attention in the moment. Setting up the correct posture, controlling the body and performing the movement requires a lot of focus and concentration. Make sure to club weight training in your routine for a strong body and stronger mental health.

How To Get Started With Weight Lifting

  • Aim to weight train for 30-45 mins, 3 times a week
  • Start with low weights and focus on posture and consistency
  • Train at low to moderate intensity for maximum benefit from weight training
  • Do not miss out on 7-8 hours of sleep, meditation and a balanced diet which contributes majorly to staying fit

Even if you’re currently not depressed or anxious or have any goals of muscle building, I would urge you to consider weight training for all of it’s added benefit. We hope this article on lifting weights to build mental strength helps you. You can read more fitness related articles here. For tips from experts, subscribe for GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching. 

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5 Common Weightlifting Myths You Should Stop Believing

weightliftingIf you have already browsed through countless articles on the internet before taking your first step towards weightlifting, then there might be a lot of questions on your mind. More so, because of the contradicting and confusing nature of the content you get online. The most common one being that you need a gym membership for weightlifting.

In a country that’s rapidly growing, it’s time we leave these myths and series of false information behind with some facts shared by certified experts. So here, we will be sharing some common myths making the rounds on the internet about strength training.

Myth #1: Weightlifting Makes Women Bulkier

Fortunately for all the ladies out there, this is not true! The muscles in a woman’s body are different in composition than that of men. In fact, weightlifting along with a combination of cardio encourages more fat loss in women. One can begin with a minimum of 2kg and gradually increase the sets and reps along with weights.

Myth #2: No Pain = No Gain

You’ve probably heard this a gazillion times by now! If your body hurts or your muscles are sore, then your training is working. Ideally, that’s not true. Muscle soreness is common in the beginning but can be reduced within the recovery period. But, at times, it can also be because of incorrect posture or overexertion. Rest and recovery is equally important in weightlifting or strength training. In cases of extreme soreness, you need to rest and recover.

Myth #3: Lift Light Weights to Tone Muscles

This one is commonly known as the ‘Pink Dumbbell Myth’. The fact is that lifting lighter weights for higher reps will help you increase muscular endurance and it does have a place in training routines, but that lean, defined look comes from losing body fat. So, the weight will always depend on your fitness goal, but one will need to try a variety of reps and weight ranges to achieve results.

Myth #4: Older People Should Not Lift Weights

This is completely untrue. Elders can lift weights, keeping in consideration that the weight and reps should be advised by a certified trainer. An elderly person should also keep their medical conditions, risk factors and all in mind. Most importantly, they should consult their doctor before starting any training routine!

Myth #5: You Need a Gym

That is not true! You don’t have to empty your pockets and sign up to an expensive gym or service. All you need is dedication towards your goal! Surprisingly, you can train even in a small corner of your room. Your body itself is a gym. You can start with body weight workouts to break the ice. To take it a level ahead, all you’ll need is a pair of dumbbells or barbell curls to transform your body.

These were some of the common myths I have encountered so far. How about you? Have you heard anything on these lines? Share them with us in the comments below and let’s begin busting some myths together!

For more fitness related articles, check out Healthy Reads or join our live, interactive video sessions on GOQii PRO within the GOQii App, where you can get one-on-one guidance in real time by certified fitness experts.

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