Winter is in a league of its own. It is harsh and brutal and in soome cases unforgiving, leaving some to suffer from hard end points like hypothermia and depression. But other than numb finger tips and runny noses, what other effects does the winter have on us? And why?
According to WebMD, the winter interupts your daily routine, coops you up inside under the covers, shoveling comfort food down your throat to drown out the depressive moods you often find yourself in. Even though everyone is different with their eating habbits, despite all efforts, studies show that the average person gains five to seven pounds during these winter months. While there are many reasons for weight gain, one major reason is seasonal affective dissorder which can cause a person to either over eat or under eat, according to Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD (WebMD).
So does the weight gain only happen to those who experience seasonal affective dissorder? Well,”Research studies show that the ‘hibernation theory’ of winter overeating does not hold up for the vast majority of us who do not have seasonal affective disorder” (WebMD). However, due to the cold and the snow sometimes standing in our way, even the most cheerful people may gain a few unwanted fat cells. This is because of the natural way we react to the cold; run and hide.
Others studies show that during the winter months your metabolism slows down and due to the lack of sunlight which causes your mood to remain in the dumps, we turn to comfort food. Often times these comfort foods, in an attempt to battle thses pounds, are found in pre-packaged goods which are high in carbohydrates. The article “Food & Drink…” found on The Independant explains that “In its purest form carbohydrate can affect the level of serotonin in the brain,’ […] ‘It relieves a depressed mood and controls aggressiveness. It’s also beneficial in cases of pre-menstrual tension, and in a state known as winter depression.'”
Some scientists claim that this weight gain is actually good for you; it keeps you more insulated and protects against the harsh winter weather (AskMen). I say, forget that! Give me another jacket and a scarf and I’ll be making my way to the gym. Fight the winter. Don’t let that depression get the best of you!
Sources:
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/food–drink-psychobiology-and-the-mood-foods-carbohydrates-make-you-happy-coffee-boosts-mental-skills-michael-bateman-presents-a-psychologists-guide-to-diet-1411262.html
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/5-tips-to-avoid-winter-weight-gain
http://www.askmen.com/sports/foodcourt_150/167_eating_well.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/basics/definition/con-20021047
I can really relate to this post! Although I don’t work out all the time, I do notice that the amount I do definitely decreases in the winter. I think people gain weight because, first off, they’re not working out as much but I also think they gain weight because of the holidays (all of the food and parties) so that could be a third variable affecting it. I also never knew that our metabolism slows down in the winter, good to know! Here are some good tips to avoid this trend: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/5-tips-to-avoid-winter-weight-gain
This is a great post! I always fall victim to this during the winter, because there is never motivation to go to the gym, and being bundled up inside the house always inclines me to eat. I wrote a post a few days ago about Seasonal Affective Disorder, and it did mention that weight gain is common for victims of the disorder. I did not know, however, that our metabolism slows down in the winter, so that was interesting to find out that it plays a role in this phenomenon. I have to agree that adding an extra layer of clothes and going to the gym is a lot better than letting the weight add up. This article (http://www.fitbie.com/lose-weight/tips/7-surprising-reasons-winter-weight-gain) lists some of the reasons and causes of why gaining weight in the winter seems to be a popular trend.
Great post!!! I didn’t know that the metabolism slows down during winter. I thought I gain weight during winter because I don’t go out as much as I did during the summer. According to Dr. Perry Barrett, Melatonin, a hormone that make us feel happy, which could also work as a hormone for appetite, increases during colder seasons like autumn and winter than summer and spring. For this reason, some people feel hungry all the time. Another research suggests that, there’s a connection between sunlight and human weight. The level of sunlight decreases during winter, and people spend less time outside, but stay home or any other warm indoor places. The low level of sunlight during winter naturally reduces human’s level of movement.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2052975/Why-fatter-winter–eat-LESS.html