Do you find it easier to make healthier choices when the weather is nicer?

[Lori]

Do you find that it's easier to make healthier choices when the weather is nice than during the winter? Do you think it's because of your mood, the ability to go outside, something else? Or does it not affect you either way?

[Lori]

I was thinking about this as I've been out the past few days, because I don't think it's exaggerating to say that my activity level probably triples in the summer. I live within walking distance to a lot of things (my work, Thomas' school, a few stores, the library, our church), and while I like to walk, I hate being cold, so in the winter I'll always drive, even if it's just 1/2 mile or so. But once it warms up I walk whenever I can, and I go from just walking from my car to whatever heated building I'm going to to walking 4 or 5 miles a day without making a real effort.

I also find that I just want to eat healthier foods in the summer. Aside from ice cream and ice pops (which I think are a central part of a summer diet ;)), I tend to eat a lot of fruits and salads in the summer, and not really want big meals.

I find it affects other areas of my life, too, and once it warms up, I'm far less likely to head out to a store and spend money, or choose to eat out rather than in, or any of the things I'm a lot more likely to do when it's cold.

[Desirae]

Absolutely! We tend to have lighter meals and a lot more fruit and veggies in the afternoon. We also drink a lot more water and are outside a lot more.

[MathSpeak]

Me too. In the warmer weather, I tend to drink LOTS more water out of sheer thirst. I know it sounds silly, but I don't really like the "taste" of water, but I do find that I drink loads in the warm weather. ALSO, at the start of the warmth, I usually crave tons of fresh fruits and veggies... only because they're lighter and I don't like to feel weighed down after eating if it's warm out ;) I also tend to walk more in warmer weather.

[Sarah]

I've never really thought about it before, but yes, I do make healthier choices in the summer. One thing I will miss this summer is swimming. We had a pool at our old apartment and Chad and I would go swimming almost every day. That kept me in great shape!

[Beka]

as lame as it sounds i get SAD (seasonal affective disorder thingy-whatsit) and yep for me motivation is linked to the better weather, as it diet- diet it is cheaper to be healthier in the better weather in England because of availability of fresh produce at lower prices.

I'm more inspired to walk for recreation where as in winter i only really walk for necessity, i still walk a good 20 mile+ in a week in winter but in summer it's alot more as i also walk in the evenings just to get out for a while.

The water intake thing is true of me as well- summer= higher water intake

I also tend to go swimming in the better months which i avoid the rest of the year and i'm more active in general with the kids, i am more inspired to decorate the house, to do the gardening- all active things that tend to get delayed until better weather.

[Marzipan]

Well, for one, there's a much better variety of produce and it is waaaay cheaper. So it is definitely easier to obtain the foods I like to have in the house. I am more likely to do a more vigorous workout on my treadmill in the winter though. In warmer weather I go outside more, but it's more leisurely activity whereas being cooped up in the house on an icy day makes me want to go for a run. On hot days all I want to do is hover by the air conditioner. I loathe and despise the heat, so I'm usually more cheerful and motivated in the winter.

[malcontent]

I live in a subtropical region, so I definitely get more outdoor exercise in the winter. I'm very fair-skinned and will burn even with heavy-duty sunblock on if I stay in the direct sun long enough for a workout.

In my dream world, I'd exist perpetually on the cusp of autumn. Cool, crisp, and breezy weather motivates me to get outdoors and exert myself.

[Kami]

The weather has a huge impact on us making healthier choices! We tend to eat healthier and get much more exercise when it is nice out!

[Amy J]

Yes, I do! I find it so much easier to go out and get exercise when it's somewhat warm outside. I get the winter blues until around the end of April so it's just a good idea for me to go exercise crazy from April until November!

[Kristina]

I definitely tend to make healthier choices when it is getting nicer out. ;)

[jane]

oh yes salad is a staple part of our diet when the wether is good but oits just not the same in the winte , and of course once easter hits we are outside in the garden digging and looking after our veggie plot so thats a whole lot of activity we don't get over the winter.