Winter weather can create the temptation to indulge in foods that might interfere with your weight loss goals. And because of stretchy pants and sweaters, you usually don’t realize how much weight you’ve gained until springtime comes and your clothes are snug. Fight the cold weather and the temptation to eat unhealthy foods this season with these tips that can help you stay on track during the winter.

Incorporate Spices into Your Meals

Kick-start fat burning in your body and boost your metabolism by adding spices to your favorite winter meals. By adding cinnamon to your coffee or oatmeal, or drinking ginger tea in the morning, you can stay warm while also boosting your metabolism. Mix cayenne or chili peppers into your favorite lunch and dinner dishes to heat up your body and jumpstart fat burning.

Take Advantage of Seasonal Produce

It is important to eat in-season produce all year round because it ensures you’re getting the most nutrients from your fruits and vegetables. In the winter, leafy low-calorie vegetables like collard greens and kale are at their peak and are great for cooking or making salads. Likewise, sweet potatoes are in season, and are great to serve as a healthy starch entrée or side dish option. Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit are ripe at this time and are a healthy vitamin C-packed breakfast option.

Stay Warm with Healthy Soups

There are tons of low-calorie and nutrient-rich soup recipes you can make in bulk to keep you warm and on-track with your weight loss goals all winter long. Make healthy soups at home by adding a variety of vegetables and lean protein into the pot. These will leave you feeling full until your next meal. Just be sure to stay away from store-bought soups or ingredients that are high in sodium as this will cause you to bloat.

Don’t Stop Exercising

A balance between a healthy diet and exercise is key to losing weight. In the winter it can be hard to find the motivation to stay active, but it’s important to fight the urge to sit down all day. Doing anything from a short workout at home to finding ways to fit in small exercises at work will help you reach your long term weight loss goals. Winter is also a great time to try a new exercise class or sign up for the gym, both will give you a reason to get up and out of the house during dreary days! Make sure to exercise 30 minutes a day a few times a week to help with weight loss and improve your health overall.

Drink Tea

Swap your sodas, coffees, juices, and other flavored beverages for tea. Aside from the numerous health benefits tea has, drinking it in the winter it is a great way to stay warm while also curbing your appetite. Tea is low in calories and can help boost your metabolism. Adding in spices to your cup like cinnamon, ginger, or cayenne can help your body burn fat. Avoid adding additional sugars when you prepare your tea for the healthiest option.