Seasonal changes can have a significant impact on weight-loss patterns. Winter ushers in a period of shorter days and longer nights, which can present physical obstacles to exercise as well as mental barriers to being active. Some of these influences are the result of mental associations you may have with trying to stay warm during the winter. Others, such as seasonal affective disorder, have underlying physical causes.
Barriers to Exercise
Winter poses several barriers to being able to exercise in order to lose weight. Icy roads and sidewalks can present difficulties getting the gym or walking due to slippery conditions. Likewise, extreme winter temperatures may make exercise outdoors unsafe. For those who exercise primarily outdoors, these barriers are likely to impact their weight loss efforts due to the lost exercise time.
Inactivity
If weather were not enough, the change in periods of day and night encourages inactivity. You may feel more inclined to curl up on the couch with a blanket rather than engage in a vigorous workout. The inactivity depletes your calorie burn from exercising, causing you to lose less weight. You may also find that the longer nights make you want to sleep longer. A 2010 study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that women were most successful at preventing weight gain if they exercised for at least 60 minutes on most days of the week. With the impact of winter, you may find it more difficult to get the necessary amount of exercise, causing you to lose less weight.
Holidays
Many of the winter holidays include celebrations where food is the star attraction. The Thanksgiving dinner and the Christmas supper offer special foods that you may not allow yourself to enjoy other times of the year. Even if you keep good tabs on your diet, the holidays are likely to pose a challenge. A 2008 study by Brown Medical School in Rhode Island found that women who had successfully lost weight during other times of the year were more likely to gain weight over the holidays than those already of a normal weight with no history of obesity.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression associated with the winter months. Symptoms include oversleeping, loss of energy and weight gain. About 500,000 people experience SAD each winter, Mental Health America estimates. Women are more likely to suffer from seasonal depression than men. The changing light patterns affect hormonal activity, which is believed to be at the root of this condition. The associated increase in carbohydrate cravings and depression can negatively impact weight loss.
References
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Physical Activity and Weight Gain Prevention; L. I-Min, et al.; March 2010
- "Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology"; Holiday Weight Management by Successful Weight Losers and Normal Weight Individuals; S. Phelan, et al.; June 2008
- Mental Health America: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Mayo Clinic: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Symptoms
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