winter weight

I'm here to talk about winter weight--that dreaded extra 5-10 pounds that seem to magically appear despite an otherwise normal diet. There's a reason that happens, and it's just a matter of our bodies syncing with nature's circadian rhythm. I'm also here to tell you that it's okay! And there are some things in Ayurveda we can do to help stave it off, or at the bare minimum keep our digestive capacity high. 

Let's talk about this circadian rhythm first. To think about this, we need to think back to what life was like when humans first walked the planet. During the winter months, there was no electricity to keep us warm or grocery stores where every single food item is available year-round! It was cold! Food wasn't accessible at a quick drive's notice! There was an innate need to bulk up on fat to store for energy use and more importantly--for warmth. In Ayurveda, our fat tissue is seen as a nourishing tissue, and for that we can't shun it off to the side. Fat provides lubrication, layering, bulk, and in general is the oil our engine needs to run smoothly and without creaks (hello popping joints!). 

So first, let's not be ashamed of the little extra fatty tissue that we've potentially gained. Know and realize there is going to be a part of us that will always act from this protection and survival mode. That there will always be a need for our bodies to say, hey, it's cold outside, I need to do whatever I can to keep you strong and healthy. 

One more piece to this puzzle that I'd like to mention is in Ayurveda, we say that our agni or digestive capacity is strongest in the winter months. Again, this goes back to our seasonal rhythms. You may notice that your appetite increases in the cold months. Hello! Survival and protection mode again. (yay for innate intelligence of the body trying to keep us safe!) If our food consumption is naturally increasing, of course there is a chance that our weight may flux. Y'all. This is just a natural process. But, there are things we can do to keep our agni robust, and make sure we're not eating for the sake of eating--because that definitely isn't healthy, and not something we encourage! Check it out. 

1. Not sure if you're hungry? Drink a glass of water (room temp or warm!) and go for a quick 10 minute walk. If you're hungry when you come back, that's real hunger. If you're not, well, you were just bored. Occupy your mind some other way. 
2. Exercise! As lovely as it may feel to stay under the blankets, winter season is actually a great time to get into a good routine of moving our body. It helps to move the excess kapha that gets built up that can also create unnecessary weight gain. Plus, with our agnis being the strongest in winter, our capacity to do more will be more. 
   
3. Favor warming spices--cinnamon, cardamom, clove, cumin, coriander, turmeric--all of these are great things to cook with, make teas with, sprinkle on top of your food, etc. It will ensure that your food stays digesting properly. 
   
4. Drink fresh ginger tea 30 minutes before your meals. This will help to kindle that digestive fire. Stoke it, and you're good to go!  
   
5. Hydrate! Don't let the winter dry you out. Proper hydration is important for proper weight balance. 
   
6. Let go of the judgement. Judgement in a sense is holding. So many individuals I've worked with I see a pattern of holding onto emotions = holding onto weight. When we feel free, we can physically be free as well! 
   

Try not to overcomplicate things this winter. Do your best with what you have and what you know, and most importantly just remember--our bodies love us! 

much love, 
​-n