Stopping Winter Weight Gain
Health and Fitness July 10th, 2009Winter weight gain is a very common problem. Most people gain 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 in the mirror and notice you’ve gained 30 pounds. Why does this happen and what can we do about it? Review Burn The Fat, Feed the Muscle
There are lots of contributing factors. It is important to note that that humans have a tendency to store more fat as winter approaches. In particular, animals in cold climates store fat in the winter and it was likely vital to our ancestor’s survival. Body fat layers protected us from the cold and then could be used as fuel in the winter and spring when food stocks became very low.
People eat more in the fall when food is plentiful after the harvest to help the fat storage process. Humans unconsciously choose foods that are higher in fat content at this time.Unfortunately, holiday celebration foods are really high in calories.
Out of whack hormone levels can also influence weight gain. The complex interaction of hormones and other brain chemicals can cause appetite changes and cravings. Neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and serotonin can also affect the way we eat. Overweight people often have lower levels of these neurotransmitters and the results can include increased appetite, depression and sleep disorders.
In addition, the lack of daylight caused by the shorter days during late fall and winter can cause seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or winter depression. Unfortunately, one of the fastest ways to boost your energy levels is to eat high carbohydrate foods including sugary foods, chips and junk that give you a fast blood sugar rush. Feeling depressed during the winter can lead one to overeat or eat the wrong food, leading to depression, weight gain and a disheartening vicious spiral.
There are many reasons why people eat more high carbohydrate foods such as pies, cookies and chocolate in the winter. Unfortunately these foods are filled with calories and full of sugar. 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 wants, but which have more fiber, less sugar and lower fat content. This means fresh fruit and vegetables and wholegrain rice.
Cravings are helped a great deal by eating a wide range of different foods that contain a lot of antioxidants. Frozen vegetables and fruits are a nice way to economize if you live in a freezing climate where there isn’t as much fresh produce available in the winter.
It is also essential to get more exercise. Often people’s physical activity levels drop in the winter and they have a tendency to want to stay home and hibernate. Wanting to hibernate is normal when it is cold outside, but not helpful for the waistline. Need to lose pregnancy weight? Click here!
We obviously do not need to store pounds the way that cavemen the did in prehistoric times.No wonder everyone had fat goddesses in prehistoric times, they lived longest.
Renew your gym membership or cruise craigslist looking for home exercise equipment. Transform those calories into energy now instead of storing them on your waistline. It is definitely possible to avoid winter weight gain with a healthy diet and lots of exercise. Are you being scammed? Find out here!
