Winter weight gain is a very common complaint. Most people pack on a few pounds every winter and come summer despite their best efforts, they don’t lose them all again. We gain weight every year because the pounds are so hard to lose. Then one day you look down and realize that you have put on 30 pounds. People ask why this happens and what they can do. Lose Weight, Get Fit and Build Muscle
Many factors contribute to winter weight gain. It seems probable that people have a tendency to store more weight as winter approaches. Most animals in freezing climates do this and it was vital to survival for our ancestors. Extra layers of body fat could protect people from the cold and then were used as fuel in the late winter and early spring when food stocks were very low.
We have a tendency to eat more in the fall when food is plentiful after harvest to help the weight gain process along. Humans subconsciously pick foods that are higher in calorie content at this time.In addition, holiday foods are ridiculously high in calories.
Out of whack hormone levels can also cause weight gain. The interaction of brain chemicals and hormones causes changes in appetite and cravings. Neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and serotonin can also affect the way we eat. People who are overweight often have lower levels of these neurotransmitters and the results can includeincreased appetite, sleep disorders and depression.
At the same time, the reduced daylight caused by the shortening days during winter can bring on seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or winter depression. Unfortunately, one of the fastest ways to boost energy levels is to eat high carbohydrate foods including sugary treats, chips and cereals that create a fast blood sugar ‘fix’. Feeling low in the winter can lead people to overeat or eat the wrong foods, leading to weight gain, more depression and a depressing vicious spiral.
There are many reasons why people eat more high carbohydrate foods such as cookies, pies and chocolate in the winter. Unfortunately these foods are full of calories and full of sugar. The best way to handle this is to substitute other foods that are also high in carbohydrates so that we get what our body craves, but which have less sugar, lower fat content and more fiber. Foods like potatoes, wholegrain rice, wholegrain bread, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Cravings are helped a lot by eating a wide range of foods and enough antioxidants. Frozen fruits and vegetables are a great way to economize if you live in a cold climate where there isn’t much fresh produce available during the winter.
It is also important to get more exercise. Often our physical activity levels fall during the winter and we have a tendency to want to stay home and hibernate. This is natural when it is cold, but not helpful for the waistline. On a diet? Check out high protein low carb
Now, people obviously do not need to stow fat the way that cavemen they did in prehistoric times.No wonder people had fat goddesses in prehistoric times, they lived longest.
Renew your gym membership or search craigslist looking for home exercise equipment. Transform those carbs into energy now instead of storing them on your waistline until spring. It is definitely possible to stop winter weight gain with a healthy diet and lots of exercise. Click here!
Tags: preventing winter weight gain, Weight Loss, winter weight gain, winter weight loss
