Cold autumn nights

[behappynow]

Weather changing and im finding it hard to stick to my calories since last week although have lost weight..half a pound weight loss last week and monday weigh in lost a pound..but I feel winter blues and eating comfort foods..im still going to the gym once a week..thats helps..The evenings I just want to eat and eat...hows everyone else doing during this weather ?

[Annde70]

I must admit that this cold and wet weather doesn't help me in my effort to control my eating I seem to get hungry when it's cold. Also feel less like going out for a walk then I do when the sun is shining.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Annde70]

Yes, it's hard to motivate isn't it? 😕 Have you seen the indoor walking videos on you-tube?

[Annde70 in reply to IndigoBlue61]

No, I haven't. How does that work?

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Annde70]

Oh they're great 😊 On you-tube search for 'Lesley Sansome Happy Walk' which is my favourite but there are lots of different ones 😊 Also lots of NHS exercise videos available too 😊 Some days I just put my Music on and dance round the living room for 20 minutes! The dog thinks I'm nuts 😂😂😜

[Nomoreexcuses 2lbs]

Feeling exactly the same this week. We've had snow and although it's melted again it's freezing and it makes me want to eat. I'm managing to keep my weight steady but I'm running less and reaching for more sugary foods. Feel like I'm getting the sniffles too. I know I need to reign it in and plan my meals more but I do find it harder when the temperature drops.

if anyone has good advice for coping with winter please share. ❄⛄❄

[Caz28]

It is so much harder this time of the year. I'm making lots of soup and casseroles, low calorie but warming, nourishing and filling. I'm dreading snow and ice, had a bad fall last January and am literally terrified of falling again and breaking bones! so I will be doing the leslie sansone videos - inside where I'm safe! Low cal hot chocolate drinks are comforting too.

[MrNiceGuy]

Without even contemplating the festive excess, the changing seasons invariably influence eating habits and behaviour, with some creating unwanted weight gain.

Although autumn happens to be the most alluring of seasons (it’s certainly my favourite), with its crisp blue skies, cooling climate and golden sunlight that dazzles, without even mentioning the glorious shades of red, gold and brown, the season also heralds another change.

With its arrival, we start getting fat again.

The natural vitality, that the summer months encourage, begins to disappear. The shorter days and weakness of the sun’s rays also affect our ability to receive the recommended helping of vitamin D, ultimately affecting energy levels; the emergence of winter clothing from the back of the wardrobe doesn’t help matters either, other than to mask the increasing bulge.

Rather than choosing to venture to the gym, cosy pubs (particularly those with crackling fires) become a far more inviting way to spend those dark evenings and the consumption of colourful salads is replaced with highly calorific dishes that are synonymous with the time of year.

I could go on, but I’m sure you get the idea.

So, how do you avoid the winter blues that can leave you without the energy or the inclination to remain on track, leaving you desperately unhappy (with increased weight gain) when the new-year comes around?

The answer rests in choosing foods that are naturally high in vitamin D in order to stimulate the production of serotonin, a hormone that helps to regulate mood, ensuring that the inclination to step out and exercise is still possessed, even though you’d rather remain indoors where it’s nice and warm.

As previously mentioned, the lack of natural sunlight in winter months severely affects the body’s ability to receive its preferred source of vitamin D, leading to deficiencies amongst many.

As such, it must be obtained from oily fish (salmon is the best source), milk, eggs and mushrooms, for example, so ensure that these continue to be included in your diet, particularly if you'd prefer to receive it naturally.

Additionally, if you happen to suffer from SADS (as I used to), increasing intake of vitamin D may just help to ensure that this winter you don’t.