Winter weight gain

kar2083 · January 2013

I used to like to tell myself that I packed it on in the winter for added insulation, but after a while it just gets ridiculous. Much of the hardwork I did over the last year seems to have crumbled by the way side over the last few months. I just didn't have any drive to go to the gym or eat healthy, unlike how i was for the better part of the year. It seems to have started to crumble in the fall. So here I am again back at it. I just don't want to be repeating this cycle next year. Anyone else experience this or have some recommendations?

loopingcaterpillar · January 2013

i recommend lovely big jumpers :P have a go at knitting one for next yr! (cant knit and eat :P)

swashburn3 · January 2013

I have a theory that it's something genetic. In the fall I get weird cravings to eat foods that will definitely add weight, like a whole big bag of trail mix, or summer sausage with all the fat. It's really a mind over matter deal for me.

I totally blew it last year, and this year I think it's going to be about minimizing the damages.

Funny though, it passes as January rolls around and I get motivated to diet again.

tigersword · January 2013

It's evolutionary. All humans (heck, pretty much all animals) are conditioned to eat more as winter approaches. Winter = cold, cold = less food, so more food is eaten during the fall period to gain fat in order to survive on less food during the winter.

For humans, we don't have the issue of food scarcity based on seasons anymore, but we still have the evolutionary instinct to want to eat more as winter approaches.

taso42 · January 2013

bulk in the winter / cut in the summer?

jforciare · January 2013

Like alot of people on this site, I don't think of this as a diet but more of a lifestyle change. As long as you lose two pounds and only gain one (multiply by whatever factor) during the year, then after years of doing this you should be at your ideal weight. I know that is nobody's plan, but if it does happen to be your curse, then just keep at it with a stiff upper lip. It's not the destination, it's the journey that counts!

MoreBean13 · January 2013

In addition to the evolutionary argument Tigersword gave, I'm pretty sure actually being cold is an appetite stimulator, too, and that's why you are STARVING after swimming but not really after a comparable energy burning run. I don't have any offhand references for the cold-appetite argument, and I readily admit that I'm only about 75% sure there is one.

Either way, I like Taso's winter bulk plan. But, if you're not at that stage yet, just be strict about sticking to your calorie goals.

lyrical_melody · January 2013

Lifestyle change...lifestyle change...lifestyle change.

Think about why you didnt have time the past few months. What were you doing instead? Are you SURE that there wasnt an hour somewhere in there each day you could have made it to the gym?

Also...what foods were you eating, why? Try and think back on what you were doing...and why (or why not)

and make the

LIFESTYLE CHANGE.

If you think of it as a diet...it'll never work.

KWake1 · January 2013

For me it's all about the food I eat. Spring and summer is fresh salads, seasonal fruit, light BBQ (too bloody hot to cook,eat inside).
Winter is casseroles, stews, hearty soups (anything warm and cozy).
Guess which seasons have more calories consumed?

Also where I live we get these things called seasons. In the summer it's a lovely 32c and in the winter, well today is -2c. (That's 94 & 31 to you farenheit users). My exercise of choice is running, but if you think I'm going for a run in this weather, when it get's dark at 5pm, you must be crazy.

Another thing for winter gain (at least for me) is the special occasions. From Sept to January I have 9 birthdays just in my immediate family, plus Christmas and Thanksgiving festivities.

At least it gives me motivation to get back out running once the weather turns nice again

Winter weight gain

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