Can Pilates help you avoid gaining weight this winter?

Winter is a great time of the year if you love snuggling up in your winter woollies and sipping on a nice mug of hot chocolate. 

For many of us, there’s a tendency to hibernate. To stay at home, out of the cold, enjoying your favourite comfort food. 

It’s only when we step onto the scales that we see that those extra kilos have crept on in the blink of an eye. 

So, the question is, what’s the best way to avoid gaining weight and how can Pilates help?

Pilates keeps your body moving – in all the right ways

I’ll start by saying that, when it comes to weight gain in winter, Pilates isn’t a magic fix. There are a whole lot of things that will help you maintain your ideal weight – mindful eating, staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet that includes lots of good fruit and veggies. 

But if you’re serious about avoiding those extra kilos, you’ve got to keep your body moving.

3 ways Pilates will help you avoid gaining weight this winter

 1. Toned muscles use more energy 

Pilates is a low-impact activity. And it’s true that, compared to cardio exercises like running, cycling or swimming, Pilates burns fewer calories.

But a regular Pilates practice will help stretch, strengthen and tone muscles, helping you make the most of the fuel you eat.

If you’re into winter sports like skiing or snowboard, Pilates is a great way of preparing your body. Pilates exercises will help build strong abdominal and core strength. It also improves your balance and flexibility. Pilates will enable you to move more smoothly around the snowfields, thus avoiding possible falls and injury.

We recommend that you incorporate both cardio and Pilates exercises as part of your wellness program.

2. Pilates helps reduce anxiety and stress

When we get anxious, reaching for chocolate or another glass of wine can seem like a good idea at the time. Unfortunately, too much comfort eating (and drinking) can add those extra kilos.

The beauty of Pilates is that it trains you in the art of control. Control of your breath. Control of your posture. 

Slow and deliberate exercises that strengthen your muscles can help diminish anxiety and prepare you for life’s challenges.  

3.    Pilates supports better sleep patterns AND weight management

You may be surprised to hear that sleep has an important role in weight control. 

Research has discovered that poor sleep habits can signal to our body that we need to eat more. Also surprising is the finding that sleep-deprived people tend to crave carbohydrates and higher-calorie foods. They also tend to have a lower metabolism. 

Moderate and regular exercise can increase the quality of your sleep. And having slept well, you’ll have more energy and motivation to exercise. It’s a ‘win, win’. 

In my mind, Pilates is the perfect winter exercise. You can do it at home or attend regular classes with a qualified instructor. See you on the mat!