subject: Unwanted Winter Weight Gain: Keep It Off [print this page] Winter weight gain is a common complaint of many people across the globe. It seems that every winter, most people add a couple of pounds, and come the following summer, the weight stays. Some of the unwanted winter weight gain stick around, making that person a little heavier every year. It seems very hard to lose those extra pounds. Why does this happen and what can we do to remedy this situation of unwanted winter weight gain?
There are many contributing factors to having winter weight gain. First, it is likely that we have a genetic predisposition to store more fat as winter approaches. Many animals do this and it was probably vital to the survival of our ancestors. Additional layers of fat on the body protect us against the cold, and can then be used as fuel in late winter and early spring when food stocks dropped very low. We probably have a tendency to eat more in the fall, when food is plentiful after harvest to help this process. We may also unconsciously choose foods that contain more fat at that time.
Our hormone levels may also influence our weight gain. The interaction of hormones and other chemicals in the brain can cause changes in appetite and cravings. Some neurotransmitters can also affect how and what we eat. People who are overweight often have low levels of these neurotransmitters and the results can include excessive appetite, depression and sleep disorders. At the same time, the lack of light caused by the shorter days of late fall and winter season can give rise to having winter depression. One of the quickest ways to give a boost to energy levels and emotions is to eat a carbohydrate-rich foods including sugar treats, chips and cereals that give us a fast blood sugar high. So people who feel weak in the winter will tend to overeat or eat the wrong foods, leading to weight gain, more depression and a vicious cycle that is hard to break. The shorter daylights also set the mood for inactivity and prefer sedentary things to do leading to winter weight gain.
So in total there are several reasons why we eat foods high in carbohydrates, like cookies, cakes and chocolate in winter, and of course most of these foods also contain high levels of fat. The best way to manage this is to substitute other foods that are high in carbohydrates so that we get what our body craves, but which are low in fat and high in fiber. This means pasta, potatoes, whole wheat bread without butter, brown rice, cereals and fresh fruit. Also it is better to eat in small manageable frequent feedings so that our body will be able to process more the food that we eat and avoid winter weight gain.
It is also important to do more exercises that focus on cardiovascular fitness. Often our physical activity levels drop in the winter and we have a tendency to want to stay home and rest. It is a natural when it is cold outside. We no longer live in caveman times meaning we do not have to store fat for the long winter ahead. We have refrigerators and other storage equipment to do that nowadays. No need to use our bodies! Go to the gym or buy a treadmill. It does not really matter as long as you exercise your most important muscle, your heart. Convert unwanted winter weight gain into energy now instead of the belt to hold it until spring. Unwanted winter weight gain is avoidable and if ever you have a lot of it, there is a solution.
