Avoid Winter Weight Gain

While we are at the tail end of it, many of us are feeling the effects of a long, cold winter. Unfortunately, winter weather doesn’t usually encourage us to get outside and get active with rollerblading, bike rides or runs. Instead, we find comfort in staying at home, cuddled up with a blanket and enjoying warm, hearty dishes such as soups and stews. What’s more is that the lack of sunshine in the northern hemisphere brings about another factor that plays into maintaining a heavier winter weight its called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It is said that up to 30 % of Americans and up to 50% of Canadians suffer from SAD each year. If you’re like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months as sun exposure becomes less and less, zapping your energy and making you feel moody. Symptoms of SAD:

• tiredness
• fatigue
• depression
• crying spells
• irritability
• trouble concentrating
• body aches
• loss of sex drive
• poor sleep
• decreased activity level
• overeating
• weight gain

How to avoid SAD & Winter Weight Gain: In the winter months, when most of us generally spend more time indoors, it is imperative to be proactive with supplementation of vitamin D. This is a vitamin that our body can make with moderate sun exposure everyday or every other day. Like most people, if you aren’t able to spend the winters down south, be sure to protect yourself with a high quality vitamin D supplement. Liquid vitamin D is the most bioavailable and easily absorbed so I would recommend that. While supplementation is crucial during these winter months, coupling it with regular exercise and a balanced diet will hit your results out of the park. Be sure to stay on track with your balanced diet and your physical activity all winter long!

If you want more inspiration and healthy recipes, follow me on social media and check out my blog. I post daily goodies on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!

[caption id="attachment_68728" align="aligncenter" width="758"] Click here to learn more from Gillian[/caption]