Why the Winter Season is a Great Time to Lose Weight

October 18, 2020

4 min read

Trying to lose weight? If you are, you're in good company:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around half of all Americans are trying to lose weight at any given time. And it might not surprise you to hear that losing weight, eating better, and exercising moreconsistently rank among the leading New Year's resolutions.

This year, why not a get a jump start on your resolutions by creating a sustainable weight loss plan throughout the winter? We're sharing three reasons why the winter season can be the perfect time of year to get down to a healthier size.

3 Reasons Why The Winter Season is a Great Time to Lose Weight

1. Having a Winter Weight Loss Goal Helps You Stay on Track

Many people equate winter with holidays—and holidays with holiday treats. If you're worried about overdoing it on the sweet stuff, consider this: being committed to losing weight can actually help you avoid going overboard on holiday sweets, cocktails, and other rich comfort foods. After all, you have a goal to achieve!

Before diving into a holiday treat this season, be sure to stop and remember why you're committing to getting healthier, since this can help you avoid over-indulging. And for even more inspiration to keep you on track, share your goals with a few people (friends, family, or even online community members) so they can offer their support and encouragement.

2. Things That Help You Lose Weight Also Strengthen Your Immune System

This fall and winter 2020, it's never been more important to have a strong immune system as we face a potential double whammy of flu season and the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, research shows a healthy diet and regular exercise are some of your best immune-boosting tools that help you fight off germs and infections...and they just so happen to help you lose weight, too.

Bonus: for anyone out there who struggles with seasonal affective disorder (winter-related depression), exercise has also been shown to be effective for relieving symptoms and triggering the release of natural feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters in your brain.

There are plenty of reasons why getting to the gym this winter may not be feasible for you, from pandemic-related closures to icy roads. But just because you're cozying up at home doesn't mean you have to skip your workouts. In fact, working at home is easier than ever thanks to the explosion of online videos and workout programs you can follow along in the comfort and privacy of your own house. Many at-home workout programs or classes require minimal to no equipment, making it an affordable habit to build, as well.

A Few Tips for Creating a Successful Weight Loss Plan in Any Season

No matter what time of year you decide to shed extra pounds, there are a few great things you can include on your weight loss to-do list that will help you avoid the vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting and weight regain. Try these:

Focus on quality. How much you eat matters, but what you're eating matters, too. For a lot of people, focusing on the quality of their food actually helps them eat less, since nutritious foods like lean protein, fruits, and veggies are naturally filling. So, enjoy your favorite treats in moderation and make whole foods your diet priority.
Move every day. Consistency matters when it comes to exercise, because it helps you get the most benefits and helps make exercise a part of your lifestyle. Aim for some amount of physical activity every day—30 to 60 minutes is recommended, but even a 10 minute brisk walk is effective.
Set goals around actions, not just numbers on a scale. It's perfectly fine to have an ideal weight in mind. But unless you develop new habits, you're at risk for re-gaining all your weight (and then some) once your "diet" is over. Instead of only having goals like "I lose 20 pounds by January 1st," be sure to have goals such as, "I work out two times a week for 30 minutes for the next eight weeks."
Get enough sleep. People who are sleep deprived tend to have stronger food cravings and may feel too tired to work out. Accelerate your weight loss journey by getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night (psst: sleeping at least 7 hours also helps you avoid the common cold, too).

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