Unbelievable Reasons Why It’s Hard to Lose Weight When It’s Cold

Eating healthy during summer is quite a breeze. There are so many factors all around that positively influence us too. The days are longer and the sun’s usually shining. Thus, there’s a motivation to get out there and get busy! That’s of course without forgetting the abundance of produce during these seasons.

Once the other seasons approach however, it’s a completely different ball game altogether. The days are shorter, more people stay indoors which means fewer exercise sessions and amazingly, there are numerous holidays during these seasons. In the holiday excitement, most of us find ourselves partaking in massive amounts of high carbohydrate foods.

Our Bodies

With the change in season, our bodies also tend to react differently from a biological viewpoint. They start producing the melatonin hormone in abundance during the colder seasons. The melatonin hormone signals our body to sleep and is often activated by darkness. This holds true since colder months ensure that we receive fewer hours of daylight.

During summer, melatonin levels are usually lower whilst in spring, autumn and winter, melatonin levels increase. This hormone helps keeping our appetites in check as well. Hence, people with vast amounts of melatonin may find themselves with a greater urge to consume more food.

Vitamin D is an essential component in the breakdown of fats

Vitamin D also has a large role to play in the addition of weight during cold seasons. Without it, the body will naturally resort to fat storage. In effect, foods we eat may end up in storage in the adipose fat cells.

Since a significant portion of food we consume goes to storage, less is reserved for energetic body functions. Recent research has also shown that the fat and obese usually register low levels of vitamin D.

Exercise

Since melatonin levels are usually at an all-time high during winter, we are likely to feel less motivated to be active. However, with sufficient dedication, exercising can be of great benefit to us during this period. Due to the cold conditions outside, indoor exercises can be of great help.

By exercising, we’ll be ensuring that our bodies stay warm and that weight gain doesn’t happen. Working out helps the body cells to receive lots of oxygen. With sufficient oxygen amounts, the body is able to regulate itself for optimal operation. Consequently, we’re much more likely to feel energized after a good exercise session.

There are numerous YouTube videos showing just how to go about various exercise routines all from the comfort of our homes. Maybe it’s time to give them a try!

Less Processed Foods

During cold months, there’s not much produce available. Thus, it’s easier for us to opt for processed foods that come in packages. Most packaged foods usually have large doses of sodium. When we consume such salts, they make us retain water in our bodies, making us feel sluggish and bloated. The best way forward is to ensure that we always stay hydrated.

Veggies for the Win!

Eating fewer vegetables should not be an option for us during the cold months if we’re trying to stay fit and healthy

Cold seasons come with a longing for hot beverages. In truth, any warm food appeals to us during winter. While a soup is much more appealing than veggies during such occasions, eating healthy is the best course to choose.

Soups may contain vast amounts of calories, especially those that feature a cream base. A good alternative would be a switch to broth-based soups. Better yet, eating warm veggies during winter can have a better impact on our nutrition and general wellbeing.

Healthy foods to partake include asparagus, peppers, roasted sweet potatoes, parsnips and Brussel sprouts. Incorporating these foods into our soups can go a long way in ensuring that we do not gain a couple of extra pounds during cold seasons.