Weight Gain Over The Winter? Yikes!

Every winter it happens. Somehow, without even knowing it, you've put on weight. Now that summer is coming and it's time to get into more revealing clothes you can sure see the extra pounds! Why does this happen and is there anything you can do about it?

The weight gain is not caused by just one thing. First of all, we are genetically disposed to store fat as winter approaches. Our ancestors probably had to do this for survival through the winter as winter was when food was scarce. The reason they stored up extra layers of fat was to use as fuel in late winter and also to protect us from the cold. They didn't have central heat in their caves so staying warm was vital for survival.

There is also a reason why so many types of the food we know come ripe in the fall; this is when we traditionally needed to start fueling our bodies for winter. If you think back to fall, you might even notice that you ate foods that had a higher fat content.

Another issue in winter is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as the winter blues. More and more people are realizing that they suffer from this and are taking steps to deal positively with it. The use of full spectrum light bulbs or light boxes addresses the problem of less daylight in winter.

If people have untreated seasonal affective disorder, they tend to reach for the high carb foods such as sugar snacks, cookies, and chips. Naturally, eating too much of these foods can lead to weight gain. Instead of reaching for high fat and high carb foods when you need a carb fix, eat the better carbs such as whole grains, potatoes, and whole fruit.

Just being aware of your body's tendency to want to eat more food and higher fat food in the fall can help you make healthier food choices. Another positive step is to exercise in the winter. There are plenty of options for exercise, inside and out, in these modern times. Even if you're stuck inside because of foul weather, you can still exercise to an exercise tape or exercise program on TV.

We are way past the time of needing to store fat for the winter. Our homes are heated and the stocked grocery store is just around the corner! Keep on top of your winter eating habits and you may be pleasantly surprised when you put your shorts on in the spring.