So, every winter I tank up on a bunch of starchy/sugary
carbs and gain a bunch of weight. My training volume doesn't
change much - in fact I do a lot more running in the cool
weather, and I purposely under-dress to condition myself to
tolerate the cold weather. I just seem to consume a lot more
calories in foods that don't carry any other nutrition.
I originally blamed cultural influences, such as traditional
harvest & holiday festivals that arrive with the onset of
cold weather. When spring arrives and I feel the heat
increasing, my appetite decreases, my craving for sugar &
starch dissipate, I live on salads and lean protien, and the
weight goes away.
As often happens here in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US,
we had a bit of a warming trend a few weeks ago - salads
here I come - followed by a respite of winter weather. As
soon as the weather turned cold again all I wanted was bread
& cake and couldn't look a salad in the eye.
Now I'm beginning to think there are physiological cues
rather than just psychological. I'm wondering if
experiencing that lower external body temperature triggers
some kind of primal "pack on the flab" reaction - both in
the types of food I desire, and perhaps even in the way it's
metabolized?
It would be nice to break this cycle but right now I'm more
interested in knowing the causes of it. I really feel
miserable if I try and stick to my summer diet in the cold
weather. And I don't feel at all deprived when I give it up
in the hot weather.
Those of you who live in the Southern Hemisphere - when it's
getting hot around Christmastime, do you still start to eat
more? Or only in the cooler weather? What about those of you
in temperate climates - do you see seasonal changes in your
diet & body composition?
Thanks
S. Austin