I have been beyond normal weight almost my entire life. While they say that “chubby is the new sexy”, there are times when I still want to be slim enough to fit into the clothes I want. More so, I want to be that person who wants to eat anything they want without gaining a pound or so after a sumptuous meal. Then again, there are a lot of people out there who are frustrated to gain weight but their bodies are not able to do so, but that’s another story.
Thankfully, I have already lost a couple of pounds over half a year by eating at a specific period of time and being physically active at least three times a week. Living in a tropical country, it is somewhat a blessing because the weather is perfect for effectively losing weight.
On the other hand, a lot of people may be struggling with weight loss, especially during the winter season. Because of the cold, cuddle-inducing weather, people would prefer to spend time indoors curled up under their comforters than having a quick jog outside. As a result, weight loss in cold weather can be a challenge for a lot of people.
However, there is good news. Experts say the winter season is the best time to shed some pounds. Sure, it may sound too good to be true, but if it worked for others, it can also work for you. Here’s how:
1. Cold weather activates “brown fat”.
Several studies found that during cold weather, our bodies activate brown fat or the so-called “good” fat. Brown fat helps in burning calories and eliminating white fat, or the “bad” fat, from our bodies. In effect, brown fat enables our body to use up more calories in colder weather, which can lead to weight loss.
2. Shivering when cold can aid in weight loss.
According to research, shivering due to cold weather can be as effective as normal exercise. Apparently, shivering for up to 15 minutes can also burn the same amount of calories as an hour worth of moderate exercise. Two hormones, FGF21 and irisin, come from brown fat and shivering muscle and are produced by increasing energy-burning levels of brown fat cells. As mentioned, brown fat helps our body burn more calories in cold weather and can aid in weight loss.
3. Cold weather means hot soup.
Who doesn’t want hot and steaming soup in winter weather? The “soup weather” can also be an opportunity to make a healthy soup. A study conducted by researchers at Penn State University revealed that people who consumed around 20 percent fewer calories after a meal when they had soup as an appetizer compared to those who did not. This is because a veggie-based soup can fill you up minus the calories, so you won’t eat as much during mealtime.
4. Cold weather can still offer exciting outdoor activities.
You can enjoy physical outdoor activities not just during the summer but also during the winter season. Why not try winter sports such as ice skating, sledding, or skiing? According to the National Personal Training Institute, you can burn as much as 400 calories per hour by engaging in such activities. You lose weight, you also have fun – a win-win situation.
5. Cold weather is the best time to lose weight – and get ready for a rockin’ body in the next summer!
There’s a saying that goes, “Summer bodies were made in the winter.” You can apply this to your life and start with your weight loss journey as early as now. You have a couple of months to prepare for summer, especially if you want to transform your flabs into abs or if you want to feel more confident wearing a sleeveless top or a two-piece swimsuit.
In other words, winter can be a blessing for those who want to start with their weight loss journey. At the end of the day, getting a hot bod you should not only be your goal – it’s more of a long-term commitment to stay healthy so you can live longer and achieve a happy and fulfilled life.
