Do you find yourself eating more, exercising less and gaining a few unwanted
pounds during winter, even AFTER the holidays? You are not alone and there are
scientific reasons why.
The impulse to eat more as days grow shorter is driven by the body’s need to
survive. Our ancestors needed more body fat to endure the lean cold months. This is
the reason our brains are programmed to increase our body weight during the autumn
and winter months.
An additional factor in this winter weight gain is the decrease in Vitamin D. Our
body absorbs Vitamin D from sunlight. As daylight decreases, so do our Vitamin D
levels. Low levels of Vitamin D affect the hormone, leptin, which plays a role in appetite
and metabolism. We also often crave carbohydrates because our seratonin levels
diminish with the decreased sunlight. Adequate seratonin is required for a healthy
mood. Our body believes that reaching for a cookie instead of the carrot will make us
happier. For many people, the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables during winter leads
them to poorer food choices.
The problem is that we no longer need that extra layer of padding. We have
modern transportation, eliminating the exercise that our ancestors used to warrant those
extra pounds. We have modern heating systems, eliminating the need for the extra fat
to keep our bodies warm. And we have plentiful food, so we have no need to hunt for
those extra calories. All that being said, we should not use this “primeval instinct” to
allow ourselves to pack on a few pounds.
How can we avoid the winter weight gain? If you awake before daylight, start by
turning on your lights. It helps to wake the mind and body up and get you moving.
Exercise consistently. Get outdoors and absorb what sunlight you can. If you can
exercise during daylight hours outdoors, even better. Keep an eye on your portions
and “extra” snacks. There are some wonderful winter fruits and vegetables that are
tasty and plentiful in January and February. Beets, brussel sprouts, pomegranates and
oranges are a few good choices. By being attentive to your exercise, food and mood,
you can help yourself avoid some of those extra pounds.
About this column: Healthy tips for getting and staying in shape by Stephanie Mendes, ACE certified Personal Trainer and Co-Owner of Arlington Personal Fitness.
pounds during winter, even AFTER the holidays? You are not alone and there are
scientific reasons why.
The impulse to eat more as days grow shorter is driven by the body’s need to
survive. Our ancestors needed more body fat to endure the lean cold months. This is
the reason our brains are programmed to increase our body weight during the autumn
and winter months.
An additional factor in this winter weight gain is the decrease in Vitamin D. Our
body absorbs Vitamin D from sunlight. As daylight decreases, so do our Vitamin D
levels. Low levels of Vitamin D affect the hormone, leptin, which plays a role in appetite
and metabolism. We also often crave carbohydrates because our seratonin levels
diminish with the decreased sunlight. Adequate seratonin is required for a healthy
mood. Our body believes that reaching for a cookie instead of the carrot will make us
happier. For many people, the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables during winter leads
them to poorer food choices.
The problem is that we no longer need that extra layer of padding. We have
modern transportation, eliminating the exercise that our ancestors used to warrant those
extra pounds. We have modern heating systems, eliminating the need for the extra fat
to keep our bodies warm. And we have plentiful food, so we have no need to hunt for
those extra calories. All that being said, we should not use this “primeval instinct” to
allow ourselves to pack on a few pounds.
How can we avoid the winter weight gain? If you awake before daylight, start by
turning on your lights. It helps to wake the mind and body up and get you moving.
Exercise consistently. Get outdoors and absorb what sunlight you can. If you can
exercise during daylight hours outdoors, even better. Keep an eye on your portions
and “extra” snacks. There are some wonderful winter fruits and vegetables that are
tasty and plentiful in January and February. Beets, brussel sprouts, pomegranates and
oranges are a few good choices. By being attentive to your exercise, food and mood,
you can help yourself avoid some of those extra pounds.
