winter weight gain - you are not alone

myofibril
myofibril Posts: 4,489 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Every year, for as long as I can remember, I put on about 7-10 lbs over November and December. I then spend all of January and February knocking it off my frame (which I find fairly easy to do thankfully). For the other 8 months of the year by weight stays relatively stable.

I think there are many factors for this gain. Obviously, over indulging on Christmas & Boxing Day is a factor but it doesn't account for such a large rise. There is also less daylight meaning I am outdoors less and therefore generally less active. The darker conditions affects my mood and makes me seek out "comfort food" which generally tends to be warming and satisfying but also higher calorie. In addition because I wear bulkier clothing it is easier to hide an increase in weight in comparison to summer months. Finally, my body maybe pushing me to store fat on some level given it is good insulator and keep basal body temperature at normal levels despite the cold.

Where am I going with this? I know that I am not alone in experiencing this phenomenon. I rather suspect I am in the majority. If you have noticed that recently your diet has inexplicably started sliding and your mind just isn't that focused on fat loss any more then don't worry. There are probably good reasons for it.

This year I am going to buck the trend of a lifetime and keep my weight stable until the New Year. I am going to do this by approaching the problem consciously rather than mindlessly. For the next 6 weeks I will purposefully diet down so that come Christmas I can indulge a little and still come out evens on my weight by the New Year. I will do what I know works - eating under my TDEE, using a reasonable calorie deficit with plenty of protein, fibrous veg and fruit thrown into the mix. Weight training 2 - 3 times a week.

If you are struggling with this issue at the moment I wish you the best of luck in beating the winter blues ;)

Replies

  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    I agree its hard to stay motivated and comfort foods are way more appealing, but am planning on bucking the trend this year too!
  • sc1572
    sc1572 Posts: 2,309 Member
    back at you! :D
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,489 Member
    I agree its hard to stay motivated and comfort foods are way more appealing, but am planning on bucking the trend this year too!

    Yay! Good for you.
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,489 Member
    back at you! :D

    Winter weight gain? I laugh in the face of winter weight gain ;)
  • TheAncientMariner
    TheAncientMariner Posts: 444 Member
    Definitely some good advice. I burn about 1100 calories on days that I get out and run which is 3x per week. My calorie requirements are already high because I'm a big guy, so with that added I have over 3,000 calories to play with on my run days. Because I am unable to eat that much, I always have a 1,000 calorie deficit on run days. My plan for the holidays is simply to get in an early morning run the day of the event so that I can "splurge" a little. I'm not going to worry so much about macronutrients during this time.

    TL:DR: I'm just going to remain active through the holidays to keep the weight loss coming!
  • lacroyx
    lacroyx Posts: 5,754 Member
    I am in the minority. I work graveyard hours. 11pm-7:30am. I actually like the winter season. sure it's cold outside @ 2am when I go out to walk/jog/whatever. but I use the coldness to keep moving and stay warm. I lost about 25 lbs. last Winter season. Warmer weather kind of has the opposite effect on me. I get warm, lazy and sleepy. lol

    but for those that are the majority, good luck you can do it!
  • MelissaL582
    MelissaL582 Posts: 1,422 Member
    The holidays scare me a bit but I'm not going to let myself go completely and forget what I've learned. We totally got this!

    FYI: This will be my first Thanksgiving in many years that I will be the "smaller" sister :-D Yippee!
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,489 Member
    The holidays scare me a bit but I'm not going to let myself go completely and forget what I've learned.

    You know what's sad? Some so called fitness "experts" scare people witless into thinking you cannot have a single day off your diet without some kind of disastrous consequences occurring.

    Nobody has to be perfect to succeed, just consistent. That tends to be my biggest problem over the next few months. I get terribly inconsistent and sloppy with my diet.
  • morganhccstudent724
    morganhccstudent724 Posts: 1,261 Member
    last year...15 pounds from October to December....

    My goal this year: STABLE WEIGHT =)
  • mkaluzny
    mkaluzny Posts: 508 Member
    I always joke that this 5-10 pounds is "my winter insulation". Living in Wisconsin where temps dip and stay below zero for many days, I think I need it. I am going to very actively try not to gain this winter. I will need the support of everyone out there. I have to break this cycle.
  • myofibril
    myofibril Posts: 4,489 Member
    I think much of the problem with winter weight gain is many people then don't go on to lose it again.

    As far as I remember the average person puts on about 2-4 lbs during Christmas. That doesn't seem much but if you do that every year for say five years that is an increase of 10-20 lbs which most people will never shift.

    Luckily we have the tools and information at our disposal here to kick any gain into touch...
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