Winter Weight Gain - Why Does It Happen And What Can We Do?

Winter weight gain is a common complaint for many overweight people. It seems that every winter people add a few pounds, and when summer comes they don't lose them all again either. A few of the pounds always stick around, making people a little heavier every year. It seems to be very hard to lose pounds! Why does this happen and what can be done?

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

Hormone levels can also influence our weight gain. The interaction of hormones and other chemicals in the brain can bring about variations in appetite and cravings. Some neurotransmitters can also influence the way we eat. People who are overweight often have very low levels of these neurotransmitters and the results can include excessive appetite, depression and sleep disorders. At the same time, the lack of daylight caused by the shortening days during late fall and winter can bring on seasonal affected disorder or winter depression. One of the quickest ways people try to give a boost to these low energy levels and emotions is to eat high carbohydrate foods like sugary treats, chips, cereals etc. that give a fast blood sugar 'fix'. So people who feel low 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.
 
So altogether there are many reasons why people eat more high carbohydrate foods such as cookies, pies and chocolate in the winter, and of course most of these foods also contain high levels of fats. The best way to handle this is generally to substitute other foods that are also high in carbohydrate so that we get what our body craves, but which have low fat content and plenty of fiber. Th best food would be fresh whole fruit.

It is also important to get more exercise. Often our physical activity levels drop in the winter and we have a tendency to want to stay home and rest. This is natural when it's cold outside. But we are not cavepeople! We have heating in our homes and can be sure that there will still be plenty of food in the stores come February. We do not need to stow fat the way  they did. Sign up with a gym or health club or get a stationary bicycle for the family room. Transform those carbs into energy now instead of keeping it on the waistline until spring. Winter weight gain is easily avoidable this way.