The Hibernation Habit

“by Nicci Robertson”

Humans are intrinsically creatures of habit. The brain, specifically the primal brain, needs patterns to feel secure and to calm any flight/flight responses. And like any animal, our brains are hard wired to the seasons.

When the light intensity diminishes we tend to want to curl up in our cave and go to sleep. When spring arrives we tend to head outdoors, energized and looking for opportunities.
In the nutrition and fitness industry spring is our boom time, especially as the winter clothes are peeled off revealing paler skin and flabby muscle tone.

Hopefully by the time we are in the mid-summer the winter weight has been shed and we are more comfortable revealing our bare legs to the world. Often, however, this is not the case.

In my experience most people start making noticeable headway just in time for autumn, only to once again disappear back into comfort eating hibernation.

Over the colder months most of us could gain anywhere from 0.5 to 5 kilograms in fat weight, according to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine. But instead of losing that weight by the time summer comes around again, research shows that winter weight gain rarely goes away completely and indeed accumulates year on year.

How to Get a Handle on Winter Food Cravings

The brain is the great negotiator. How many excuses can you think up for not getting up and out of bed when it is cold outside? How difficult is it to resist macaroni and cheese on a cold winter’s night?

What could happen if we were to change the game – anticipating that by the time you peel off your winter layers you may be in the best shape and health of your life? Those in the know – bodybuilders, athletes and figure models, often take advantage of the cool months to do their best work.

Unfortunately most people struggling with nutrition or weight issues just can’t seem to find the time to eat five to six healthy meals a day. They are maybe too busy, or are just not hungry enough, to think about healthy eating.

However in winter, everything changes. We crave hot, heavy, comforting foods. Fortunately there is no reason why those hearty meals can’t also be healthy. Healthy winter foods can include curries, casseroles, stews and soups; even protein-rich hot chocolate and even grain-free pancakes

Personally I find that exercising in winter is a whole lot easier than in the hot months. Boosting serotonin with exercise often counteracts the negative effects of the winter blues especially at time when one’s metabolism creeps downhill.

But when the best of intentions fail, you need a plan.

Practice Damage Control.

You might well fall off the wagon – so make provision for any indulgence. If you find yourself caving in to temptation don’t just give up. Get right back on the horse and make sure you’ve planned for the next day so there’s no leeway.

Learn to Interrupt your Patterns.

If you know that you are likely to head to the biscuit tin at tea time, rather make sure that you have a hot and hearty homemade chicken soup waiting in the wings. This will fill you up with a good dose of protein and enable you to make better decisions.

But what if getting out of bed on a dark and cold winter morning is your idea of hell? Maybe you could find a gym buddy or personal trainer. If someone is waiting for you at the gym you will be less likely to skip your sessions. If you are a gym newbie take comfort in the fact that the gyms are generally quieter in the cold months. So by the time they fill up, you will be training and looking like a pro.

Never Skip a Meal and Stay Hydrated.

By the time we get too hungry we are often not in the right frame of mind to make healthy decisions. Make sure that you always have healthy snacks handy to avoid falling into this trap. Furthermore cultivating a good water drinking habit often falls flat in the cold weather. So try swapping your cold water for hot water flavoured with a slice of lemon. The combination of cold weather and indoor heating can be just as dehydrating as the summer sun. Staying hydrated is crucial for mental function and fat metabolism.

At first this may seem like mission impossible and that trying to get everything perfect is a recipe for failure. Choose two or three things that you know will be fairly easy for you to achieve. Even if it is just getting into the hot water and lemon habit. Success builds on success and before you know it spring will have sprung and you will be in better shape for it.

To find out more about this programme or any Phela Wellness offering, please contact Phela Wellness on:

011 544 8000 or visit www.phelawellness.co.za