The chilly weather means that staying warm under cozy blankets becomes a priority because an early morning workout can seem cruel at this time. Winter can be really nice in many aspects- meeting family for the holidays and the great food that comes along with it, but it can be challenging for your waistline to remain in control at the same time. It is much safer and warmer for someone to stay at home too, rather than get out. Eating comfort foods is also a priority now and these may not necessarily be healthy either. Less sun means we are more in the dumps than usual and don’t feel like going out. So, when you add all these factors up, you know nothing good is going to come of it.
Weight Gain In Winter - Why Does It Happen?
There are many reasons as to why someone may gain weight in the winter. Most of them are valid reasons, while others can be attributed plainly to us feeling lazy. But let us look at some of the more common reasons in some detail-
● Winter coincides with a lot of festivities for us on the Indian subcontinent- Diwali, Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Christmas, Holi, etc. along with countless other auspicious days which mean more weddings and related events to attend. This means a lot of fatty, but super tasty food- and below-average to really poor portion control.
● The chilly weather can make us want to stay home and not get enough exercise- which may cause us to pile on the kilos.
● Fresh produce is slightly harder to come by, but you can compensate with all the great greens that grow only in this season.
● Our hormones change in the winter too- which is why we feel ‘gloomier’ than usual, with low serotonin and greater levels of melatonin that make us sleepy.
● The good thing about winter is- your body has to work harder than usual to stay warm and so, will expend energy for this need. So, if you can eat less, then you could see a beneficial loss in weight. But this will NOT be substantial in number.
Sensible Diet Plan For Weight Loss-
Thankfully, there is no dearth of good food and sensible recipes for you to try this winter, so let us look at a diet plan that is easy for you to follow-
● Get out of bed every morning, dress warm, and go for a walk or a run, a swim in a heated pool, l or do some yoga- the important thing is for you to keep moving even if the bed seems incredibly inviting.
● You should plan your meals in advance- so if you go to the mandi or market once a week and stock up on veggies, fruit,s, and other essentials, you can then write out a list of recipes you could easily prepare, without much hassle. Eating homemade food is good for you any time of the year and NOT just winter.
● You can eat foods like nuts, broken wheat, and millet which are rich in protein and will also help keep you warm.
● Eating protein with every meal should be a priority- so if you want to eat dosa, have it with some scrambled paneer or egg curry, rice with dal and poriyal or sabzi, stuffed paneer or tofu or soy paratha with veggie-loaded raita, etc. You can also add soups which will help hydrate you and warm you up well.
● Drink plenty of water though you may not feel thirsty that easily.
● Include whole spices like cumin, turmeric, pepper, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, bay leaf, mustard seeds, sesame seeds, etc - all of these are great for you taste-wise and will help keep your immunity up. No sickness means no downtime and better chances of staying active.
Conclusion- Burning calories can seem challenging this winter but it does not have to feel impossible. If you can get some exercise, hydrate well, and eat good quality food (while exercising good portion control), you can still get away with eating some of the yummy festive treats that you won’t find at other times of the year and also lose some weight. Your mood is also much better, which means you won’t be sulking around at home, trying to avoid people and life. So, what are you waiting for? Get out of the covers and enjoy everything this winter can offer!
FAQs-
1) Why do people gain weight in the winter?
People are generally more sleepier and less active in the winter, so this may cause them to add on the kilos.
2) Do quick diets work in this regard?
No, quick fixes should NEVER be a priority. You will just gain weight again if you decide it is too much to deal with. Making sustainable changes that you will stick to is paramount.
3) What kinds of food should I NOT be eating this winter?
Don’t eat too many sweets, fried and salty foods, and pile on food just because you feel hungry. Eat however much is needed, use a scale if necessary,y and practice portion control at all times.
4) Why should I supplement with Vitamin D in the winter?
The feeble sun can mean low Vitamin D levels- which can affect your moods, bones, and immunity. So supplement right away if your blood tests show low values.
5) How important is a good sleep schedule for weight loss in the winter?
Sleeping well is important because your hormones need to work properly. If you sleep too much, then you risk gaining weight.