What Can We Do About Winter Weight Gain
What Can We Do About Winter Weight Gain?
By Michael Tuccelli
A common complaint among many this winter will be….”what to do with the winter weight I gained”? Undoubtedly this winter many of use will gain a few pounds and as summer gets closer we will freak out about losing them. It never fails…a few of those pounds we gained stick around no matter how much we diet or exercise.
So what can we do about those stubborn last few pounds that won’t go away? There are factors that can contribute to this problem. First, it could likely be that some of us have a genetic disposition to store more fat as winter approaches. Some of us could be genetically built to store more fat then that skinny person who can eat everything. We know from studies and history that our ancestors added on poundage going into winter for survival purposes. Those extra layers of fat on their bodies not only protected them against the cold, but were also used as fuel in the late winter and early spring when food stocks would be low.
Of course in today’s times we don’t have to worry to much about food stock levels being low, not with all the 24/7 markets and fast food places that are available to us. Still many of us have a tendency to eat more in the fall, maybe because a full belly does trigger an increase in body heat. Ever notice on a cold fall or winter day you reach for a bowl of chili or hot soup and a grilled cheese sandwich? We also unconsciously choose foods higher in fat content during the colder months.
Hormonal changes can influence our winter weight gain. The use of certain medications along with our hormones can drastically change our appetite and cravings. Neurotransmitters can also influence our eating habits. Interestingly people that are overweight can often times have low levels of these neurotransmitters. This could result in excessive appetite, sleep disorders or depression. During late fall and into winter the days get shorter and the lack of sunlight can often times bring on seasonally affected disorder or winter depression.
What many of us do when our energy levels or emotions are low is reach for foods high in carbohydrates. This includes sugar treats, chips, ice cream and cereals that give us that quick but short lived energy boost. People that feel emotionally low usually end up in a vicious circle by eating the wrong foods that lead to weight gain which leads to more depression and more over eating.
Certainly we can agree that there are many reasons why we eat more high carbohydrate foods like cookies, pies, cakes and chocolate during the winter which also contain high levels of fat. So how do we handle this in a way that gives our body what it craves and the energy it needs without all the fat and sugar? We substitute those high fat foods with foods that are low in fat content and high in fiber. Foods like potatoes, wholegrain bread and pastas as well as wholegrain rice, cereals and fresh whole fruits.
Another important and often over looked activity that helps with fighting the winter weight gain is exercise. When it is cold outside it is natural to want to stay inside at home nice and warm by the fire munching on cookies and drinking hot chocolate. We aren’t in the dark ages anymore. We have heated homes and not caves and we have plenty of markets loaded with food. So instead of parking it on the couch during the winter months join a gym or purchase an stationary bike or treadmill for the den or spare room.
With some exercise and watching what you eat there should be no fear of the dreaded winter weight gain
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