When it comes to weight gain, most people will tell you that it happens more in the winter. In fact, winter weight gain is the most common way people end up adding a few extra pounds to their bodies.
For many people, no matter what they do, they just can’t win the battle and each winter they end up putting on a few pounds. As we get older it seems that we can never quite lose what we gain which makes each year weigh a little more.
If you are one of these people, you are probably wondering why I gain weight every winter and what I can do to stop it, or at least keep it to a minimum!
First of all, whatever you do, your body will adapt to the cold and tend to store more fat cells to insulate itself, it’s a basic survival mechanism. This happens to both people and animals.
The festivities also arrive in autumn and winter, festivities that are always celebrated with rich abundant meals. Think about it, it seems like no matter where you look, you’ll see cookies, candy, and other fatty foods from Halloween through the new year. The availability of these foods often makes us subconsciously crave them or other fatty foods!
Another often overlooked contributing factor is your body’s hormones, which can do crazy things to your body and brain and cause food cravings to take over your better judgment.
Neurotransmitters in our brains are also thought to influence appetite and food cravings. Studies have found that ten overweight and obese people have reduced numbers of neurotransmitters that can lead to overeating, being depressed and having difficulty sleeping.
Shorter and longer days and periods of darkness can also lead to winter blues and possibly overeating or eating out of boredom. To combat winter blues, many people inadvertently turn to “comfort foods,” which are often foods high in carbohydrates and high in sugars and fats. Foods like chips, cookies, and snacks in this group can give you a quick sugar rush that makes you feel better temporarily.
This is a vicious cycle to be in, you feel bad, so you eat. So you feel bad because you ate and you end up eating more!! Put all those factors together and you can see why winter weight gain is so common and such a big problem for so many people around the world.
How can I avoid gaining weight in winter?
A proven way to limit or avoid extra pounds is to be mindful of what you put in your mouth. And if you must have carbs, try to eat some of the good carbs instead of the bad. Try eating a potato, some buttered whole-grain bread, or fruit on top of cookies and cakes.
You should also try to stay active in the winter months and not become a couch potato. Lack of physical activity is very common during the long, cold days and nights when most people stay indoors.
But this can be easily avoided by joining a gym or buying exercise equipment for your home. You don’t have to overdo it either, just a few 20-30 minute workouts a week will help keep your winter weight gain at bay.
