WHY SHOULD WE AVOID GAINING WEIGHT IN WINTER

Year later year, we fall back on: while the temperatures drop, we start setting on layers of stuff, and even before we understand we have put on extra pounds, especially on the hips and thighs. In this KissAnime blog post, we explain why it is in winter that we lead to gain weight; and we also give you some tips to avoid it.

WHY DO WE Lead TO Get WEIGHT IN THE WINTER?

There are many reasons:

• The holidays: Christmas, New Year, Befana, in winter time there is no delay. We are subjected to an exaggerated amount of food, sweets, and alcohol which is difficult to resist. All the calories consumed these days pile up on the hips.
• Inside the residence, it’s so good: autumn and winter are times when it’s comfortable indoors and many people prefer to stay at home on the sofa, wrapped in a sheet. It’s very easy to say no to a run or bike ride, or even go to the gym when it’s cold, windy, or even snowing.
• Seasonality: it might seem strange, but during the chilly months we indeed eat more than in spring and summer. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that there are differences in calorie intake, exercise, and weight depending on the season. We tend to consume 100 more calories in the wintertime than we consume in the summer. Furthermore, we also consume more saturated fat. The researchers also found that activity levels are lower in the winter (and as a result, we eat more).

So how can you avoid gaining weight in the wintertime?

5 POINTS TO AVOID GAINING WEIGHT IN WINTER

1.TAKE Amazing TIME TO COOK

We know that, especially when working, you don’t always have time to prepare a good lunch or dinner but spending more time in the kitchen could help you:  John Hopkins University in Baltimore conducted a study on the correlation between weight loss and better supply. As a consequence, people who cook at home during the week tend to consume fewer calories, sugar, and fat than those who eat out more often. For this, it is better to take the time on Sunday to serve.

2.MAKE Clever DECISIONS

Eating a balanced diet during the cold seasons doesn’t mean you have to give up variety. There are tons of tasty and colorful foods that can liven up your winter.

When deciding what to eat, fill up on protein and high-fiber-carbohydrate foods and meals high in good lipids.

If you consume in a balanced way, from time to time you can also indulge in some “mischief” but always in moderation, for example, a piece of dark chocolate.

3.TRAIN Outside

Strengthening the immune system is not the only reason why outdoor sports are best. Running (or doing other endurance sports) during the colder months makes us burn a lot more calories. The reason is that there are two types of fat in the human body: white fat and brown fat. It is in the white type fat that the fat from what we eat accumulates in the form of energy. It is what accumulates under the skin and is responsible for love handles for example.

Brown fat, on the other hand, can generate heat with the oxidation of fatty acids (thermogenesis). In the past, it was believed that only newborn babies have brown tissue while now we know that adults also have active brown fat cells.

So training outdoors in the cold would help activate brown fat, awaken the metabolism and burn more calories as a result.

4.Alter YOUR WORKOUTS

If it’s really cold or raining outside, you might want to try training indoors to vary your workouts. You can work out bodyweight as soon as you wake up, for example, do an hour of Bikram Yoga or even go to the swimming pool. Try to do new things.

5.Gain Satisfactorily SLEEP

It is scientifically proven that people who get little sleep tend to get fat. However, researchers aren’t sure what the exact cause is. Researchers are focusing on how poor sleep affects appetite, exercise, and thermoregulation. Particularly in winter, you need to sleep more due to the decrease in sunlight available during the day. The consequence is a lack of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles and makes you feel tired.

Primarily during the winter months, try to get more sleep if you need to; it will be important not only to feel fitter but also to train at maximum energy and sleep even better after training.