Need a Little Motivation?

Happy Thursday! So, how are you doing with your weight management goals? We're nearly to the end of January, and you know what that means: The weather's still cold and wet. It's dark and dreary outside. Valentine's Day is right around the corner, bringing chocolates and candies with it. It's definitely that time of year when motivation to stick with your weight management goals can begin to flag!

If you're starting to drift from your goals, here's some motivation to get you back on track (or encourage you to keep up the excellent work!). This research study published in the online version of The Journal of Nutrition found that even mild dehydration affected mood, and not for the better: The women in the study noted that they were less energetic, had poorer concentration, felt that tasks were harder, and were more likely to have headaches. Who wants that? So, make sure you're getting enough plain water every day to keep yourself thoroughly hydrated. Your body and your mood will thank you!

Are you struggling for a reason to get outside and get in a workout? Look no further than this article on two recent research studies on brown fat. It turns out that brown fat -- a type of body fat that's actually brown in color, and burns a substantial amount of fat to sustain itself -- is activated by being cold. Researchers also observed that exercise literally converts regular fat to brown fat. In other words, cold weather and exercise might increase your metabolic rate. (That explains why I effortlessly lose about five pounds every winter, and regain it when the weather warms up!)

At this time of year, focusing on lifestyle change can be a lonely journey. For many people, the excitement of New Year's resolutions has begun to fade. For the first two weeks after New Year's, the sidewalks were crowded with fellow joggers and bicyclists. Lately, though, I'm seeing just a few fellow exercisers. If it seems as though you're the last person you know who's still focused on weight management, you're not alone. If you want to post your goals, ask for support, or share a success, don't be shy -- I'd love to hear from you. Post a little something below!