How to Warm Up Without Food

How to Warm Up Without Food

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2010 | POSTED BY MICHELLE

It’s been freezing in most parts of the country. And even in sunny California it’s been non-stop rain and cold. These are the kinds of days that make us want to nest at home with a big pot of comforting food. If you don’t want the weather to affect your weight, you’ll have to discover ways to get warmth and comfort without food. Keep reading to find out how.

“Baby, it’s cold outside,” I can hear the words of the song in my head. While it might seem natural to cook up something fattening and delicious and just sit inside to get through these cold days, think again. There are other ways to get warm.

HOT BEVERAGES – Don’t underestimate the comfort of tea. I simply like the feeling of holding a cup of hot water in my hands. Somehow, it dials stress down. You can have fun finding a favorite tea that doesn’t require cream and sugar to be delicious. You can try a cup of hot water with lemon that helps to cleanse and detoxify your body. You can even just drink hot water (I like half boiling water and half room temperature water). My friend and I call it a half and half (and it’s a lot less fattening than the real half and half). Another surprisingly delicious drink is hot water with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a little bit of honey. It has healing properties and tastes really good.

HOT BATHS – I often hear members say that they want to eat before bedtime because it helps them go to sleep. You don’t need food to do this. Just dipping into a hot bath for 5-10 minutes helps raise your body temperature so you effortlessly drift off to sleep.

A HOT WATER BOTTLE OR BUCKWHEAT PILLOW – One of the greatest things I discovered in the past ten years was how a hot water bottle is probably one of the greatest things ever created. It helps with pain and warms you up. Those buckwheat pillows that you pop in the microwave are pretty terrific too but I don’t have a microwave so I’m sticking with my “hottie.” If you’ve never tried either of these, please do. It can provide a comfort that you thought only food could.

EXERCISE – It can be easy to convince ourselves that it’s too wet or cold to go out and exercise, however, learning how to befriend the weather can help with feelings of powerlessness. These days there are so many types of microfiber materials and insulated shoes that you can feel warm no matter what’s going on outside. A short walk in the cold always makes you feel warmer when you come inside.

BODY HEAT – Snuggle under a blanket with your kids and watch a DVD, find your spouse and give them a prolonged embrace or keep your pets close by. Human beings are pack animals. We need other people, and warm bodies do make the cold less intimidating.

Staying warm is a critical human need. Food warms you up for a little bit but then makes you colder as cortisol and insulin levels drop after eating. Explore other ways to stay warm and comforted this winter without food.

4 Comments In the order they were posted.

Stella said...

Nice tips! I also like footbaths with some essential oils dispersed in vinegar. This really warms me up and the oils help fighting viruses. Chicory coffe with a splash of soymilk has very few calories but is very comforting.

Lori said...

I enjoy Twinings French Vanilla Chai Tea. No calories if you don't add anything...and very tasty! I try to keep a variety of teas in my cupboard now. It really helps to have a cup when i have a food craving or feel like eating emotionally.

Deb50 said...

I love your tips on staying warm. The weather has always affected the amount and kinds of food I eat. I live in an area where we don't have many good fresh foods in the winter, so it is easy for me to make poor food choices too. I also have problems with joints and back pain. BUT . . . I decided to try swimming lessons, and I learned very quickly. I have always loved the water but never been able to swim. I don't feel like it is winter any more. I swim laps, have a hot shower, then head home to cook dinner. Exercise really does warm me up.

Lisa said...

I love these tips. Thank you! It's all so true, I need to get one of those hot water bottles, that's the only one I don't know about working from personal experience, only because I haven't got one.