How to WIN the Battle of the Bulge
If you’re missing the sun right now, you’re NOT alone. February is prime time for the winter blahs.
The holidays are long over. The days are short.
And many folks are fighting low energy, irritability, and, maybe most irritating of all, THE MUNCHIES.
During the winter doldrums, folks pack on an average of five to seven pounds.
But lack of willpower ISN’T the culprit. It turns out the actual SEASON is to blame.
Keep reading to discover the surprising reason why and what you can do about it.
The shorter days don’t just make you feel different. They trigger literal changes.
The drop in natural light sends a message to your body to reduce the production of certain hormones and pump out more of others.
These hormonal changes aren’t as relevant today as they once were. But they’re intended to help prepare your body for the challenging winter months heading your way.
For example, men tend to produce more estrogen and less testosterone in the winter. And our cortisol levels typically peak in February.
And since our ancestors needed to bulk up to make it through the sparse winter months, your body pumps out more of the “hunger” hormone, ghrelin.
Ghrelin stimulates your appetite, so you gain weight while simultaneously feeling more lethargic, resulting in less calories burned. Plus, it makes you more likely to reach for starchy, calorie-dense foods.
This hormonal reaction could have been the difference between life and death for our hunter/gatherer ancestors who had to survive long, brutal winters.
The bottom line is winter weight gain ISN’T your fault. You’re not fighting your lack of willpower. You’re battling something even stronger. And that’s mother nature in the form of potent hormones.
But don’t give up. You CAN overcome your body’s ancient self-preservation mechanisms in this case.
The secret is simple. Spend more time outside!
It’s the lack of sunlight that spurs these hormonal changes. So exposing yourself to more bright light throughout the day can make a big difference.
For example, getting more morning sunlight helps reset your circadian rhythm, shifting the time for sleep earlier. As a result, you’ll end up eating LESS in the evenings.
Even indoor lighting makes a difference. One study found that people who ate in dim light consumed 39 percent more calories while eating in bright light led to better food choices.
Remember, you’re not controlling these types of decisions… your hormones are. So the best thing you can do to regain control of your weight is to take back control of your hormones.
In addition to getting more sunlight throughout the day, exercise (outdoors if possible) and spend more time in nature, exposing yourself to charged atoms that help heal your cells and combat stress.
P.S. Hormonal-triggered eating isn’t the only thing that could sabotage your weight loss efforts. Click here to read about these other troublemakers that have nothing to do with food.
Sources:
“Relationship between Seasonal Changes in Food Intake and Energy Metabolism, Physical Activity, and Body Composition in Young Japanese Women.” Nutrients. 2022 Jan 24;14(3):506. doi: 10.3390/nu14030506. PMID: 35276865; PMCID: PMC8838489.
“Circannual changes in stress and feeding hormones and their effect on food-seeking behaviors.” Front Neurosci. 2013 Aug 7;7:140. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2013.00140. PMID: 23966906; PMCID: PMC3735984.
Written By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
For years he’s been the trusted doctor for celebrities, world-class athletes, and countless seniors looking to reclaim their health.
And now…for the first time ever… he’s making his medical breakthroughs available to readers all across America.
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. is one of the most pioneering and innovative minds in medicine today – and he delivers cutting-edge cures each month through his Natural Health Response newsletter.
Natural Health Response readers get full access to Dr. Gerhauser’s protocols for chronic pain… heart disease… diabetes… Alzheimer’s… and even cancer. These are the very same treatments Dr. Gerhauser recommends to his own patients at his practice in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to being a board-certified medical doctor, Dr. Gerhauser has earned two master’s degrees and has served as a clinical professor at the University of Arizona.
And as a physician at the world-famous Canyon Ranch, Dr. Gerhauser treated celebrities from around the world who paid dearly for the type of next-generation health information he provides Natural Health Response readers each month.
View More Free Articles
The HEALTHIEST Vegetables You Should Eat Daily
Did you know that the American Heart Association recommends eating five servings EACH of fruit and vegetables daily? I don’t know many people who can fit that amount of produce into their daily diet. If you do, great. If not, I have a list of the healthiest vegetables to provide the MOST bang for your […]
Boost Bone Strength WITHOUT Drugs
Have you been talked into getting a bone scan for osteoporosis yet? If you haven’t, it’s coming. But you won’t get that spiel from me. Too often, folks get these scans who don’t need them—and then doctors incorrectly interpret the results. This adds up to countless seniors who’ve been told they have osteoporosis when they […]
Target the TRUE Cause of Dry Eyes
Cases of dry eye syndrome are skyrocketing. Approximately 20 million folks in the USA alone battle the condition. And that number is rapidly growing among young and older adults alike. That means if you’re not already battling dry eyes—and you’re one of the thousands constantly reaching for artificial tears because your body isn’t producing enough […]
Take A STAND Against High Blood Pressure [EASY!]
Often, what you DON’T do is just as important as what you DO for your health. For example, not smoking, not eating processed food, and not exposing yourself to blue light at night will go a long way toward helping you live a longer, healthier life. The same is true for your blood pressure. Research […]
Fall Asleep FAST and Stay Asleep LONGER
If you’re dealing with a sleep problem, chances are good that you’re dealing with lifestyle problems. Insomnia is typically a telltale sign of circadian rhythm disruption (not enough morning sun, too much blue light from TV at night), stress, too much caffeine late in the day, long daytime naps, etc. You get the picture. But […]
Dietary Trigger for IBD REVEALED
Cases of irritable bowel diseases (IBD)—like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—have skyrocketed in recent years… especially in industrialized nations. What is it about our modern society that increases the risk and severity of these inflammatory diseases? Scientists still don’t know the cause, but in my opinion, you don’t need to look any further than the […]
5 NATURAL Supplements to Boost Your Mood
Research has revealed MANY things that can boost your mood, including exercise, sleep, spending time with pets, listening to music, and keeping a gratitude journal. But can a better mood come in a bottle? More specifically, a supplement bottle? Scientists say, “YES!” In fact, research has revealed FIVE natural mood-boosting supplements that are proven to […]
Popular Pain Reliever BAD for Your Heart?!
Last week, I explained that mainstream medicine’s options for pain relief always come with a catch. Today, I will reveal a prime example of that “catch.” It turns out that a common pain reliever that’s supposedly the “best option” for people with heart disease might not be as safe as you’ve been led to believe. […]
Food Sensitivities Trigger Mysterious Symptoms
What do joint pain, skin rashes, headaches, and brain fog all have in common? They can all be caused by food sensitivities. Identifying problem foods—and eliminating them from your diet—can improve chronic symptoms ranging from migraine headaches and joint pain to skin rashes, brain fog, and even fatigue and fibromyalgia. The only problem? Most people—and […]
Forbidden Drink SLASHES Colon Cancer Risk 32%
A few weeks ago, I highlighted the alarming increase in colon cancer in people under 55. And I shared the results of a recent study showing that obesity is a key factor driving colorectal cancer in younger people. Of course, thousands of us over 55 are still diagnosed with colon cancer every year. And in […]