Avoiding Winter Weight Gain
Every year, those of us in the temperate zones experience winter. And every winter, a certain number of people will experience winter weight gain. When summer arrives, it doesn't necessarily follow that the weight will disappear. If a few of those unwanted pounds remains every year, as the years pass, we will end up with a considerable number of accumulated pounds of winter-fat.
|
Lose Weight With EFT The stress-free way to reach and Maintain your ideal weight |
Why do we Gain Weight in the Winter?
Many things contribute to this annual weight gain. For one thing, some experts theorize that we are genetically predisposed to store fat as winter approaches. This happens in the animal kingdom as well. In the human race's early days, food may have been in short supply during winter months, so storing additional body fat contributed to survival. Although this is no longer necessary for most people, the genetic tendency remains. With the cooler weather that happens following harvest, we tend to eat more food than we need for health. It's also possible that unconsciously, we choose foods that are higher in calories and higher in fat.
Fluctuating hormones also have an influence. When hormones interact with other chemicals in the brain, we can experience food cravings and increased feelings of hunger.
Certain neurotransmitters also have an influence on our relationship with food. Often, overweight people have low levels of these neurotransmitters, resulting in strong appetite, depression and sleep disorders. Similarly, the decreased number of hours of daylight that occurs in the wintertime can contribute to Seasonal Affective Disorders (SAD) and depression.
When this happens, eating foods high in carbohydrates gives a quick energy fix as well as calming the emotions. This explains why people who feel "down" in the winter months turn instinctively to desserts, chips, breads and cereals that are high in processed carbohydrates. However, the resulting blood sugar "fix" is short lived. The long term results are lowered blood sugar levels, weight gain and depression. A vicious circle is established, and this cycle is difficult to get out of.
To sum up, several factors account for the increased desire to eat high carb or high fat foods such as cakes, chocolate and cookies during the winter and fall.
Avoiding Winter Weight Gain
The cravings are real, but rather than eating our usual comfort foods, a better approach is to appease our bodies with other foods that are high in carbohydrates but which are lower fat and rich in fiber. Examples are whole grain breads, whole grain rice, potatoes, cereals such as oatmeal or bran flakes and fresh fruit.
Naturally, these foods must not be served with helpings of sugar, butter, cream or other high calorie toppings.
Getting plenty of exercise is also important. Many people find that their activity levels drop in the wintertime, as it becomes tempting to curl up in front of the television rather than go outside and face the elements.
While this "cocooning" may have had survival value for early humans who dwelled in caves, it is no longer necessary, thanks to plentiful food and heated homes. To avoid the drop in exercise, commit to working out at a gym, buying some home exercise equipment, or taking up a winter sport such as cross country skiing, skating, ice hockey, snow shoeing, etc.
By watching the dietary intake of carbs and fats and by keeping the exercise level high during the winter, we can avoid much or all of this winter weight gain.
================================================
Want to Know How to Lose Weight Quickly?
Tired of weight loss programs that don't work?
Ready to solve your weight challenge permanently?
Visit this site for new approaches to losing weight
www.thinkyourweightaway.com
================================================
Note to Webmasters
You are welcome to publish this article in your electronic or print publications provided you include my signature as shown at the bottom of the article. When publishing online, thank you for making a live do-follow link to this web site.
