Winter Weight Gain - Why is this happening and what can we do about it?

Winter weight gain is a common complaint of many people. It seems that every winter we add a few pounds and by summer we don't lose them all either. Some of them always stay, which makes us a little heavier every year. They seem very difficult to lose extra pounds! Why is this happening and what can we do about it?

There are many contributing factors. First, it seems likely that we have a genetic disposition to store more fat as winter approaches. Many animals do this and it was probably vital to the survival of our ancestors. Extra layers of fat on the body protect us from the cold and can then be used as fuel in late winter and early spring when food stocks would historically be very low. We probably tend to eat more in the fall, when food is plentiful after harvest, to help this process. We may also unconsciously choose foods that are higher in fat at that time.

Hormone levels can also influence our weight gain. The interaction of hormones and other chemicals in the brain can cause changes in appetite and cravings. Certain neurotransmitters can also influence the way we eat. Overweight people often have low levels of these neurotransmitters and the results can include excessive appetite, depression and sleep disturbances. At the same time, the lack of daylight caused by the shortening of days in late fall and winter can lead to seasonal disorders or winter depression. One of the quickest ways to boost energy levels and emotions is to eat carbohydrate-rich foods, including sugary treats, potato chips and cereals that give us a quick "fix" in blood sugar levels. Thus, people who feel bad in winter will tend to overeat or eat the wrong foods, which will lead to weight gain,

So, overall, there are many reasons why we eat more carbohydrate-rich foods such as cookies, pies and chocolate in the winter, and of course, most of these foods also contain high levels of fat. The best way to manage this is usually to replace other foods that are also high in carbohydrates to get what our bodies need, but are low in fat and high in fiber. This means potatoes, whole grain bread without butter, whole grain rice, cereals and fresh whole fruit.

It is also important to get more exercise. Often, our physical activity level drops in the winter and we tend to want to stay home and rest. This is natural when it is cold outside. But we are not cavemen! We have heat in our homes and we can be sure that there will still be plenty of food in the stores in February. We don't need to store the fats as they did. Sign up for a gym or buy a stationary bike for the den. Turn those carbohydrates into energy now instead of keeping them in your waist until spring. Winter weight gain is easily avoided this way.

 Winter Weight Gain