The other day i was on coffee with my girlfriends and somehow they started to complain about weight gain over winter.
They looked pretty worried actually.
Just to be clear, my girlfriends don’t do fitness. They do walks on regular basis, longer walks on weekends, but nothing else than that.
I tried to explain them that weight gain is pretty common during winter. Lower activity levels due to weather, eating a little bit more food, specially during holidays, and there it is.
They end up winter with couple of kilos more. And it makes them quite anxious.
I couldn’t stop thinking about that, so I decided to do research.
Most common reason
As you all expect, most common reason for weight gain is increased calorie intake.
Holiday season usually involves food, mostly calorie-rich meals, desserts like pies and cookies and high calorie beverages like hot chocolate, eggnog and spiked cider with our families, friends and partners.
And it’s totally normal to moderately enjoy all that food without any regret or hesitation.
In addition to increased calorie intake during the holidays, many people are less active during the winter months.
Change in weather, shorter days, more social obligations during the holidays leaves less time for activity. Less activity equal to less calorie burn.
Other reasons for weight gain over winter are lack of energy, food cravings, excessive sleepiness,sadness, anxiety unusually related to loss of daylight.
What to do?
Well don’t panic. All reasons mentioned above are temporary and very easy to repair.
With spring coming and longer, sunny days, we all become more energized.
With more energy we are willing to be more active. Activities release endorphins that are produced to reduce depression and anxiety, improve mood, also may support a healthy immune system,…
It’s import to know that any kind of activity you like and enjoy releases endorphins and there is no right or wrong kind of activity.
So find something you like and really enjoy doing it and in no time that couple extra kilos weight gain over winter are going to be past.
And if you are looking for some advises how to avoid it next winter, please read this article https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/nutrition/weight/avoiding-winter-weight-gain. It’s very simple and easy to follow.
Sometimes I gain weight too even though I work out regular. But knowing all above, I’m not that worried. Little bit of sun and daily walks will do their job.
And if you are extra energized, you can try some of my workouts. You won’t regret, I promise.
Stay happy and healthy.
My fitness corner
