weight loss and seasonal affective disorder

Pretty much all of us have felt the blues during the winter...less sunlight, being couped up in the house, etc...."SAD" or Seasonal Affective Disorder is felt by many people. A significant number of people need medication to combat the depression symptoms. The incessant snow storms hitting us right now isw resulting in even worse SAD for many.

As this relates to weight loss efforts, SAD will often lead to the "give up" mentality..i.e..."who cares?" This attitude results in abandoning your weight loss efforts, resorting to high-caloric foods as some sort of "treatment" and not coming in for your appointments if you are currently in our program.

Try your best to NOT fall into this trap and do NOT allow SAD to creep in and derail your efforts to become healthier and happier. Weight loss taking place now will set you up for a much happier spring and summer because when these winter clothes come off, you will be thrilled to see a healthier looking body. You will have more energy, more confidence, be healthier and feel much better about yourself in so many ways. Use this downtime becaause of the snow to exercise more. Do not let SAD enter your life!

serotonin, seasonal affective disorder and weight

For many people, we are about to enter a very difficult time of the year. When the holidays are over, decorations down, no time off to look forward to, cold dark morning ahead of us for months, may people feel melancholy. This is referred to as "seasonal affective disorder" ("SAD").

Part of the causation of SAD is that during the winter months, our serotonin levels are less than the summer. Reason? When sunlight hits the retina, this causes more serotonin production in the brain. During the darker months, we manufacture less serotonin. Aside from the mood issues, often our eating will also change, craving those carbohydrates.

Solution: Take that serotonin and stay in the mental zone of counting your portions and following our dietary plan. Keep plenty of light on in your house and remember that sprin and summer are not too far away!