Once the summer fades, we often find ourselves stuck on how to continue with our wellness goals when the cold weather hits. We don’t have to let the freezing temps keep us from staying healthy and fit. With brainstorming, planning, and prep you can stay on top of your wellness routine with 6 easy steps for setting and keeping your cold weather wellness goals (including a bunch of super easy 21 Day Fix recipes to keep you on track!).
Scroll to the bottom to see a big collection of easy recipes, along with these great tips for keeping healthy during these cold winter months!
It’s all about priorities, when I put my self care and wellness on the top of my to do list I am making a commitment to myself. Often we make excuses as to why we can’t take part in our wellness routine, but scheduling it and planning to make it happen will help you to crush your goals.
Swap out our favorite outdoor activity for one that you can do indoors. Instead of an outdoor run replace it with time on the treadmill or an indoor kickboxing class at your local gym. You can also get a 14 day free pass to Beachbody on Demand or another exercise streaming service and use a few new programs to spice up your indoor cardio workout.
30-Minute Hotel Room Workouts – This is a great round up of workouts for you. Most of them are less than 30 minutes, don’t require any equipment, and don’t take up much space. Perfect for those of you that are looking to get your heart rate pumping all while working out within your own home during the cold winter months.
How A Busy Mom Makes Time For Health and Fitness – Throw out the excuses and carve out time to work on your health and wellness throughout the winter months.
Layer Up
You can still enjoy nature in the outdoors by dressing appropriately for the weather. Active wear lets you pile on the layers when its cold and remove as your work up a sweat.
Buddy Up
Find a friend to help keep you accountable to your goals. It’s one of the best ways to help you stay in shape and on your wellness path. Keeping each other motivated by setting your goals together will encourage both of you to keep pushing forward.
Don’t fret if your bestie isn’t local. Hop on Facebook and start a group message. Let each other know when you will be working out and share delicious recipes with one another. Use the space to stay positive and work together. Knowing and trusting your accountability partner is crucial. You want to be able learn from them and also create a team like atmosphere. Teamwork will help to keep you moving forward so you can keep taking more steps in the right direction. Before you know it, you’ll get some momentum going and then you start to see your progress developing!
Organization
By using a simple journal you will establish the roots needed to grow your wellness goals into endless possibilities! When you nurture your ideas and plans you will soon be able to harvest your big idea!
Get yourself organized so that you can grow your cold weather wellness goals from thought to fruition. Creating a clear process to help you move from the first step to the last is crucial way to hold yourself accountable. Using any journal or simple notebook will help keep you focused, organized, and motivated to stay on course even on those sure to be rough winter mornings.
Cook it Up
Add healthy recipes to your meal plan. Plan to incorporate more veggie soups, lo-calorie dishes such as stir-fry, stuffed peppers , and one pan roasted chicken and vegetables that are packed with flavor and spices.
These dinner recipes are easy to prepare and will help you stay satisfied longer.
Sheet Pan Fajitas – One pan is all you need to create a healthy, flavorful dinner that will be a favorite amongst non-meal prep fans!
Italian Stuffed Peppers – Hidden veggies and cheesy goodness enhance this traditional recipe.
Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup – Loaded with flavor from robust spices, this warm and filling soup is a winter staple in our home.
Lemon Garlic Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner – Sheet pan dinners are completely customizable, use your favorite or in season roasted vegetables to round out this delicious lemon baked chicken .
Instant Pot Roasted Red Bell Pepper Soup – On a cold winter evening this soup will warm you up with its creamy, smoky spices creating a bowl of deliciousness.
Instant Pot Shrimp and Spaghetti Squash Fra Diavolo – Be sure to sip on a glass of red wine with this delicious shrimp and spaghetti squash dish.
Buffalo Chicken Chili – Buffalo chicken with out the mess. Spicy chicken but adding in feta and greek yogurt brings down the heat.
Herbed Mustard Sirloin Steak – Flavor-packed main course that doubles as a prepped lunch when you have leftovers. Use this as a protein-packed lunch paired with a side salad or with a few strips of onions and peppers with a warm whole wheat roll. Container counts:1 red, 1.5 teaspoons
Grab and Go Lunch Ideas
Sometimes, its so much easier to plan for breakfast and dinner than it is lunch. Lunch can be tricky and often times you may want to run to the local café to grab and go. But when its cold, the walk to the café might be the last thing you want to do. Try these delicioius lunches!
Mediterranean Salad with Tzatziki Dressing – Daydreaming of a delicious Greek Salad? Look no further than this grilled chicken and quiona salad!
Waldorf Chicken Salad Pita Pocket – I love this healthier version of chicken salad.
Butternut Squash Soup – I love soup because you can make a bunch, freeze it, and eat it whenever you want. 2 greens
Chicken Burrito Bowls – Move over local burrito joint, we have our own heathy and homemade burrito bowl for lunch. Super healthy and perfect for picky eaters.
Stuffed Acorn Squash – Flavor packed for sure!
Pesto Zoodles – These zoodles are easy to make (especially if you prep the ingredients ahead). I will sometimes add a handful of peanuts…that takes this recipe to a new level! You could also add in some chicken for extra protein.
Make-Ahead Mason Jar Salads – Make ahead and grab when you’re ready to eat!
Red Bell Pepper Tuna Wraps- High protein, no cooking and loaded with avocado and peppers. What’s not to love? This is perfectly versatile and customizable! 1 red, 1/2 green, 1 blue, 2 tsp.
Quick Breakfast
Mornings are busy and we are usually in a big rush to get the day started. This shouldn’t be an excuse not to eat. A little bit of meal prep can go a long way, and that’s especially the case when breakfast is involved. Here are several quick but nutritional breakfast options to fuel your body.
Coconut Overnight Oats – Delicious oats are packed with coconut, chia seeds, honey, and yogurt making this a quick but powerful breakfast option.
Make-Ahead Southwestern Breakfast Casserole – Perfect for feeding a crowd (hello Sunday brunch!) and they’re a great make ahead breakfast to have throughout the week.
Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole – Take the guess work out of breakfast by making and enjoying this gluten free casserole.
Instant Pot Peanut Butter Steel Cut Oats- On those cold winter mornings reach for your instant pot and whip up a quick batch of freezer friendly peanut butter steel cut oats.
2 Ingredient Banana Pancake Recipe – No need to get up early to make these delicious pancakes! They are made with two simple ingredients and are fabulous.
Energizing Breakfast Toast – Toast! It doesn’t get much easier than this, especially when you prep the toppings and have them ready to go. Container counts vary as to what energizing toppings you choose.
Veggie Pancakes – These veggie pancakes are a great addition to your day!
Power up
Don’t let a cold keep you on the sidelines! Stock up on immune supporting supplements and include a diet of nutrient-dense foods. It’s something you need to be doing consistently to help your immune systems be as strong as possible. Be sure to include several of these delicious and healthy Immune Boosting Recipes From Your Pantry that will keep you in tip top shape all winter long.