During the winter we like to be, let’s face it, lazy. It’s cold outside and you just want to bundle up in your bed and watch a good ‘ol chick flick while drinking hot cocoa. Don’t beat yourself up if you haven’t been making it to the gym as much as you’d like to; we deserve chill days. However, there are five factors during winter that makes us gain weight…besides those delicious homemade, holiday feasts.
Common Colds
No one likes going for a run or doing an intense core workout while their nose is dripping snot or they’re coughing uncontrollably. All in all your whole body feels fatigue from the virus, Ad36, “similar to those that causes the common cold, pinkeye and diarrhea, may increase body fat,” according to a study from Louisiana State University.
Always wash your hands! There are countless germs on your hands from touching bacteria infested items like your keyboard, books, class desks and doors.
Financial Stress
Worrying about paying off bills left from the holiday season makes you want to pull your hair out which causes a rise in the stress hormone, cortisol. Cortisol “makes you hungrier and triggers your body to store fat,” a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology reveals.
Many people eat when they’re stressed but whether it’s nibbling on a stick of celery or chomping on chips makes all the difference. Or try doing something physical to exert all that extra negative energy like running, kickboxing, dancing or yoga.
Space Heaters
When you’re cold your body burns calories by trying to warm you up. When your heater is on in classrooms, your car and your room you’re comfortable therefore, you’re more likely to eat almost twice as more than you would if you were a bit chilly and had to wear a snuggie.
Instead of turning the heater on all the time, try layering or wrapping a blanket around yourself so you’re not comfortable enough to have cravings. Heaters hurt the environment and your wallet as well so do yourself and our planet a favor. You could also try exercising outdoors if you can handle the crisp air or waking up early enough before your daily routine starts.
Comfort Food
Digestion generates body heat when it’s colder so it’s no wonder we crave comfort food (starches) during the winter like pasta and potatoes because they’re warm and hearty, opposed to craving vegetables and fruit. Warm food inside your tummy means you’re warm inside and that makes you feel content and full whereas other types of food are light and juicy which is what we crave during the summer.
There are other foods that can fill your tummy with warm goodness and still be light. Try eating tomato soup with half a grilled cheese sandwich or heating hot chocolate with skim milk.
Short Days
During the winter we get a lot less sunlight and “that affects the serotonin activity in the brain that helps make us feel full and content”, says Judith Wurtman, Ph.D., coauthor of The Serotonin Power Diet.
For breakfast eat a lot of protein like nonfat Greek Yogurt or eggs and for lunch try eating grilled chicken or salmon. Include good carbs during dinner like brown rice or sweet potatoes, which will boost serotonin production.