10 Ways to Beat Winter Weight Gain

Winter months are great for parties and holiday get-togethers. The only problem is that so many of us put on extra weight during the holidays and winter months and find ourselves coming up short when bathing suit season rolls around in the summer. Following are a few key ways to control winter weight gain. If you use them, you may not only hold off the extra pounds but you may even need a smaller bathing suit next summer!

1. Eat protein first. By eating meat first, you'll feel full more quickly and have less room for those calorie laden starchy carbs like mashed potatoes and stuffing.

2. Go nuts. Who doesn't serve nuts at holiday get togethers? Have a handful of nuts and enjoy a crunchy snack loaded with protein, fiber and healthy fats.

3. Skip the cereal. Start your days with eggs. They're protein rich and will keep you feeling satisfied all morning as opposed to that bowl of cereal that leaves you hungry in an hour.

4. Take advantage of grapefruit season. When the grapefruit crops come rolling in to your grocery store don't just walk on by - grab a bag! Grapefruit reduces blood insulin levels and that helps your body to lose bodyfat. A half grapefruit or 8 ounces of grapefruit three times a day can make it happen.

5. Get hot. The capsaicin in cayenne peppers not only helps your body burn fat when you're just sitting around it also helps keep seasonal colds away. Take it in capsule form or just add it directly to your food.

6. Skip the sweet tea and go green. Switch to green tea and take advantage of its calorie burning effects.

7. Drink two cups of cold water before each meal. Research has found that two cups (just 16 ounces) of cold water can boost metabolic rate by 30 percent. Drinking it before a meal will also help you to feel full faster and eat less.

8. Let whey help you eat less. Holiday buffets can pack on the pounds. Before you leave for a party sure to be loaded with calories, eat a whey protein bar or have a whey protein shake. This will help you to not be tempted to overindulge whiile allowing you to still sample the tasty goodness.

9. Stay off the diet soda. The sweeteners in diet soda (aspartame) increase the body's release of insulin which makes your body store more calories as fat.

10. Sleep in. Be sure to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night. If you don't get enough sleep it will cause a hormonal imbalance that will cause your body to store more fat.

These ten steps are simple, inexpensive and amazingly healthy. Why not give them a try this winter?