Winter weight gain is real and terrifying and conventional wisdom suggests you can, on average, put on five or more pounds during the colder months.
While this figure may be somewhat exaggerated, health professionals confirm that winter weight gain is a genuine phenomenon.
Dr Kunal Shah from the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center acknowledges the prevalence of winter weight gain among patients, a sentiment echoed by Dr Dina Peralta-Reich, director of New York Weight Wellness Medicine.
They emphasise that this weight gain is often linked to dietary habits, especially during the holiday season, where indulgent eating and increased alcohol consumption contribute to the phenomenon.
Contrary to the widely cited five pounds, studies reveal a more modest average weight gain during winter. One study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found an average increase of 1.2 pounds, with many individuals beginning to lose weight after the holiday season.
Winter weight gain can be caused by a variety of factors, such as food choices, reduced physical activity because of the colder weather, and possibly evolutionary explanations explaining why the body might store more fat during the winter.
To combat winter weight gain, health experts recommend mindful eating, particularly regarding carbohydrates and sugars. It is also very important to watch what you drink. Calorie control can be achieved by organizing social gatherings, selecting drinks sensibly, and savoring them.
During the winter, Dr. Mir Ali advises concentrating on exercise, even inside. He advises buying a resistance band for at-home workouts and sticking to body-weight exercises. Importantly, he emphasises maintaining weight rather than striving for weight loss during the holiday season.
In the end, medical professionals counsel people to exercise, make thoughtful decisions, and extend themselves some leeway throughout the winter.
