The swing from summer to fall and soon, winter, can make some people vulnerable to gaining weight, experts say.
The colder months can lead to people getting less physical activity and instead staying inside with high-sugar comfort foods.
Registered dietician Ilyse Simon doesn’t believe in diets. She does, however, believe in healthy fats, and is mindful about what kinds of fats she eats.
Simon has worked in the field of nutrition and dietetics for more than 25 years, and says an overeating period for some Americans stretches from before Halloween to Valentine’s Day because of the temptation of food, desserts, drinks and more.
What You Need To Know
- A National Institutes of Health study says people on average gain one pound between late September and March
- The colder months might mean you’re getting less physical activity, instead cooped up inside with high-sugar comfort foods
- Dietician Ilyse Simon says an overeating period for some Americans stretches from pre-Halloween to Valentine’s Day, when there's the temptation of food, desserts, drinks and more
“Stores have lots of sugar and chocolate and candy, and for some people that’s difficult to have that constant reminder, and that constant impulse,” she said.
A National Institutes of Health study says on average, people gain one pound between late September and March. The culprit: eating more and exercising less. Boredom doesn’t help, either.
“We have lots of excuses not to go outside, or it’s too hot to walk around the block, it’s too cold to walk around the block,” Simon said.
Simon advises her clients to practice self-love, not self-discipline.
“It’s never about the food. It’s about how much and how frequently, how much and how often. So we can have all those delicious dense, comforting, warm foods during the winter, we just have to think about how will we feel after I eat this, how much of it do I want?” Simon said.
Simon said some of her clients have a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder that occurs more frequently during the fall and winter because of shorter days and less daylight. She works with them on ways to cope when they find themselves at home eating more than they want to because they’re not going outside or being active.
Simon believes in nurturing the body year-round and focusing on the gut-brain connection in particular.
“There’s always a connection between what we eat and how we feel,” Simon said.
FAQs
Winter can be a bleak time of year for dieters, and not just because of the holidays. The cold weather can interrupt your workout routine, make you more likely to reach for comfort foods like mac and cheese, and can even send you on a mood roller coaster that can lead to overeating.
Why do I gain weight in cold weather? ›
The sunlight limits sun exposure and allows fat cells to store more fat. However, the lack of sunlight in winter supports weight gain by keeping more fats in the body. Moreover, limited sunlight exposure can make you feel more fatigued, reduce activity, and increase your cravings for comfort foods.
Why do I gain weight when I have a cold? ›
Once inside, the virus can rev up the cell's development cycle, causing immature fat cells to mature more rapidly and generate more fat cells, or pushing fat cells to divide more and become plumper and larger.
Do people in colder climates weigh more? ›
The swing from summer to fall and soon, winter, can make some people vulnerable to gaining weight, experts say. The colder months can lead to people getting less physical activity and instead staying inside with high-sugar comfort foods.
Does your body hold onto fat in the winter? ›
Though the start of the year is an excellent time to reflect on lifestyle habits and make healthy changes, winter is not the best season to expect massive weight loss. That's because our bodies hold onto calorie reserves and crave calorie-rich foods when the temperature drops.
Does being cold affect weight? ›
How does being cold affect metabolism? Because we need to keep our bodies at around 98 degrees Fahrenheit, being in a cold environment makes us burn more calories to generate enough heat.
How to lose weight in cold weather? ›
9 Guaranteed Ways to Lose Weight this Winter
- Eat Your Veggies. We know, we know, you've heard this one a thousand times. ...
- Step Away from the Screen. ...
- Warm Up to Cold Weather Activities. ...
- Hit the Hay. ...
- Don't Get Lost in Layers. ...
- Don't Head Out Hungry. ...
- Track Your Intake and Activity. ...
- Hydrate.
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid
Common symptoms include: tiredness. being sensitive to cold. weight gain.
What causes quick weight gain? ›
Bloating, or swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the tissues can cause weight gain. This may be due to menstruation, heart or kidney failure, preeclampsia, or medicines you take. A rapid weight gain may be a sign of dangerous fluid retention. If you quit smoking, you might gain weight.
How did I gain 5 pounds in a week? ›
Weight gain and short-term fluctuations may happen for a variety of reasons, such as aging or making lifestyle and dietary changes. However, fast weight gain can be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as a problem with the thyroid, kidneys, or heart.
But, if we do this too often, we're also more likely to gain weight during the colder months which can leave us frustrated about our body weight during the summer months. It's important to remember that weight gain during winter is extremely common, so you're not alone.
Why are people bigger in colder climates? ›
Individuals with larger bodies are better suited for colder climates because larger bodies produce more heat due to having more cells, and have a smaller surface area to volume ratio compared to smaller individuals, which reduces the proportional heat loss.
Does cold weather make you retain water? ›
The other concern is that of water retention due to the body not being well hydrated during winter. This takes place when our body starts feeling the scarcity of water and it starts holding back water leading to water retention.
Is it normal to look fatter in winter? ›
Often the term "winter weight gain" is thrown out as a joking myth or quasi-excuse, but it's more real than we think. According to new research, natural evolution and lack of sunlight can heavily influence us to pack on the pounds when it gets colder.
What month do people gain the most weight? ›
In fact, between mid-November and mid-January, adults in Western societies gain an average of 1 pound (0.5 kg) ( 1 ). This may not seem like a lot, but most people don't lose this extra baggage. Therefore, holidays — no matter the time of year — may be one of the biggest contributors to your total annual weight gain.
Is weight gain normal in winter? ›
Winter weight gain is a real thing! That's true anecdotally, and it's also true in research. In fact, one study published in 2020 found that body weight increased in winter as compared to fall. Many factors prevalent in winter lead to weight gain.
Do you eat more in cold weather? ›
It's very common to feel hungrier at this time of year and there are very good reasons as to why. The colder weather leads to a drop in our body temperature, which means our appetites get stimulated as a result. This is because eating helps to generate internal heat, subsequently leading to a rise in body temperature.
How to control hunger in winter? ›
Some ways to gain winter comfort without the extra pounds are:
- Eat Healthy Snacks. ...
- Be Active. ...
- Create Low-Calorie Comfort Foods. ...
- Get a Daily Dose of Light. ...
- Keep a Lid on Goodies. ...
- Give Out a Lot of Hugs.
Heat causes bodily functions to work harder. This in turn results in suppressed appetite. It is also said that we digest our food slower in hotter weather, which leaves us feeling fuller for longer. This is great news if your weight control problems stem from over-eating.
Do you gain weight in warmer weather? ›
3 – Weather Changes
In these situations, you may be more likely to swap your usual exercise for sedentary activities inside in the air conditioning. Plus, your body may undergo physical changes in hot weather. Hormonal changes that cause fluid retention when it's hot can lead to bloating and modest weight gain.
