The days are getting darker again and temperatures are dropping. Winter is on its way. We go out less and are more likely to curl up on the sofa with a blanket and some sweets. In this period, supermarkets are even more full of treats and it is hard to restrain yourself. This is not only detrimental to your wallet but also to your weight. This will increase faster as you continue to eat unhealthily. Wondering why we eat more in cold weather and what you can do about obesity? Then read on quickly!
The downside of weight gain
Being overweight is unhealthy, this is common knowledge. But what are the risks of being overweight? Being overweight can lead to:
- COPD
- hypertension
- osteoarthritis
- diabetes
- cardiovascular disorders
- gallstones
And beyond all these conditions, it also has a lot of effect on your energy level; for instance, you are more likely to be exhausted and short of breath. This could also be because being overweight can disrupt your sleep rhythm.
Why do you suffer from weight gain precisely in winter?
We eat differently in winter than in summer. The hot weather of summer makes you more likely to crave a cool, refreshing drink, whereas in winter we are more likely to drink a hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream. We also have less appetite in summer due to the warm weather, while in winter we are more prone to binge eating. This is because in winter we use more energy to maintain our body temperature.
The holidays are often also big culprits for weight gain. During this period, we often neglect our diet for a while. Months in advance, the shops are filled with sweets and other unhealthy treats. Similarly, people start buying these months in advance and then it is difficult to stay away from them. Result: your weight slowly increases.
We can also still blame our hormones. Hormones are affected by sunlight. In winter, it gets darker faster and therefore our serotonin, or happiness hormone, level drops. To get this level back up, we start eating more and mainly products containing carbohydrates. As a result, weight gain will be rapid.
Prevent weight gain with the following tips!
Eat healthy and nutritious
It goes without saying, of course, but healthy eating contributes to a healthy weight. Try adding more vegetables to your meals. Also make sure you have nutritious meals, so that a smaller portion also keeps you full for a longer time. In doing so, use more light products and walk with a straight face ahead past the shelves with all the sweets and biscuits.
Keep moving
With the dark days, the motivation to go to the gym is often far away. So to still keep moving, you walk a bigger round with your dog. Or park your car just a bit further away from work, so you have to walk a bit more. You can also exercise with someone so you can motivate each other.
Keeps your body warm
Put on a thick jumper and long socks and a thick jacket on top of that. As long as your body is warm, you will make less effort to maintain that happiness hormone and so your body will be less likely to indicate a desire to eat.
What can FriskFysio help you with?
Are you suffering from joint or muscle problems due to excess weight and could use a helping hand? Then we can help you through physiotherapy. We make sure you keep moving and keep your body warm and supple. As a result, your weight will decrease. If necessary, we can enlist the help of our dietician for appropriate nutritional advice.
Would you like to know more about this? Then contact us via the contact form, by calling us 085-5000333 or sending an e-mail to info@friskfysio.nl.
