Ward Off Winter Weight Gain

Spring’s almost here, and bathing suit season is just around the corner.  If you’re like many of us, Winter means big frumpy sweaters, loose fitting pants, and enough extra calories to make you want to keep your shirt on at the beach in June.  But hold on, it’s not too late to nip that Winter weight gain.  Here’s a couple of easy suggestions on how to do just that!

Sunlight–Many of us have read about how serotonin helps us sleep better.  Some of us have even taken it to help us sleep.  But serotonin also helps us to feel better and actually has been shown to help us control our cravings for carbohydrates.  Our bodies produce serotonin AFTER we eat foods that contain lots of carbs and little or no protein.  Lack of sunlight has been shown to cause a decrease in serotonin levels–triggering those horrible cravings for carbs.  So, if you can, get outside and soak up 15 minutes of sunshine every day.  If you can’t, there are plenty of lights on the market that mimic sunlight and help to ward off Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Eat Carbs–Avoiding carbs all together will cause your body to use up all its serotonin.  Be smart about your carb intake and you’ll be able to control your cravings.  Eat complex carbs in the late afternoon, when your serotonin levels are the lowest.  Stick to whole grains and starchy vegetables like potatoes and squashes and stay away from processed and refined foods that have less nutritional value.

Squash it–Studies show that people eat fewer fresh fruits and veggies in the Winter.  They also show that those who eat the most dark green and orange vegetables actually lose the most weight.  So hit the produce aisle and stock up on squash, carrots, broccoli, kale, spinach, oranges, and sweet potatoes.

Move inside–Sometimes it’s hard to get outside and exercise.  Cold outdoor exercise usually requires more gear, more planning, and more hassles.  If you’re eating as much now as you were in July, but not exercising as much, then you’re in trouble.  Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you don’t have to exercise.  Try a wii-fit, or do some calisthenics, or borrow a 4-year-old.  Any of these things will get you up and moving.

Become a photographer–It’s been shown that many of us eat more during the Winter–up to 90 calories more per day.  90 calories per day could add up to about 2.3 pounds of weight gain each Winter.  JD and I have proven that food logs help us to track what we’re eating and shed those pounds.  But many people complain that food logs are too time consuming.  One interesting way to keep a food log is to use the camera on your cell phone to make a photo food log.  Maybe at the end of the day you’ll be able to tally your calories.  Maybe just by taking the picture you’ll know how much you’re eating and that will be enough for you to be mindful of what you’re eating.  It’s just another option to help you in your quest for weight loss.

Hopefully you’ll be able to incorporate one or more of these ideas into your life.  If you do, perhaps when Summer comes, you won’t be afraid to get back to the beach!