Are you waiting until Dec. 31 to make a weight loss resolution? If you live in Los Angeles and want to lose weight, fall is a great time to kick off your get-healthy journey. Welcome in 2019 looking and feeling your best with these five great reasons to use lose weight.
1. Cool Weather Is Great for Outdoor Exercise
Fall daytime weather temperatures in Los Angeles hover between the mid to high 70s, with very little rain and plenty of sunshine. Fall is the perfect time to put on your exercise clothes and head outside for some fitness fun. We’ve created this list of the best places in L.A. to exercise outdoors, including Griffith Park, the Baldwin Hills Stairs and the Ballona Creek Bike Path.
And grab a workout buddy when you head outdoors. NBC News reports that the healthy actions of others have a motivational effect. When you exercise with a friend or outdoors, where you’re surrounded by other exercisers, you’re more likely to push yourself harder and reap more benefits.
2. There’s Delicious and Healthy Fall Produce
Eating fruits and vegetables is key to a healthy diet, since people who eat more of these are likely to have a reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. The fall season brings plenty of tantalizing produce, which you can enjoy fresh, frozen, canned, juiced or dried. This fall, indulge in good-for-you fruits and veggies that are in season, like:
- Acorn squash
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Cranberries
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Grapes
- Jalapeño peppers
- Key limes
- Mushrooms
- Passion fruit
- Pineapple
- Pomegranate
- Sweet potatoes
- Swiss chard
- Turnips
Get produce straight from local farmers at such L.A. farmers markets as Original Farmers Market, Atwater Village Farmers’ Market and the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Farmers Market.
3. You’re Setting Yourself up for a Healthy Holiday Season
Holiday parties and family gatherings are usually full of not-so-good-for-you foods and beverages. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the average American gains 1 to 2 pounds every holiday season. Over time, holiday pounds can push you out of a healthy weight range.
Adopt healthy habits now to stave off holiday pounds. Some healthy actions to put into practice include:
- Be mindful when you eat. Focus on eating and stop when you’re full.
- Track your calories. Learning general calorie counts of foods now can help you use moderation in the holidays.
- Get cooking. Try some healthier versions of your favorite holiday recipes. You can bring lower-calorie dishes to parties or serve them to your family.
As you eat healthier food and lose weight, your appetite and taste buds will adjust. You won’t need as much food to feel full, and cravings for unhealthy foods won’t be as strong come holiday time.
4. Gyms Aren’t As Crowded
It’s no secret that gyms get more crowded right after Jan. 1. It can be intimidating to start a new workout when machines are busy and you’re unsure about how to navigate the gym. Fall is a great time to get familiar with a gym and work out before the post-holiday rush. Find your new favorite exercise classes, master the gym equipment and get into a solid routine, without having to face the masses of people who are there because of New Year’s resolutions.
5. Did Someone Say Pumpkin Spice?
Pumpkin conjures up feel-good fall memories. It’s also insanely healthy, with nutrition benefits like:
- Potassium, which has a positive effect on blood pressure
- Antioxidants, which can help prevent degenerative damage to eyes
- Beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, which can reduce cancer risk and offer protection against asthma and heart disease
Canned pumpkin, pumpkin seeds and low-calorie, high-fiber pumpkin baked goods are nutrient-packed foods to enjoy in fall. Avoid pumpkin products that contain sugars or syrups, like canned pumpkin pie mix. Aim for whole pumpkin in recipes like creamy pumpkin soup and these other healthy pumpkin recipes.
Lose More Weight This Fall With Bariatric Surgery
If you’ve tried to lose weight with diet and exercise alone and aren’t seeing results, you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery. Soma Weight Loss can help you get your weight under control and lead a healthy, vibrant life.
Ami Soma
Ami has served as the patient coordinator for Soma Weight Loss for over five years, and is responsible for calling new patients, discussing procedures and scheduling consultations and follow-ups. She assists patients with setting up financing for their procedures and advises patients on their non-surgical weight loss options.
