Living in Connecticut, in the heart of New England, we experience a full four seasons. Temperatures vary from below zero to below a hundred, and daylight swings from 9 to 15 hours winter to summer. This plays a role in our daily movement habits, the foods we eat. Eating healthy for weight loss requires a diet reset several times per year.
Seasonal changes in available foods, plus tendencies to eat lighter, heavier, hotter or colder depending on season can all shift intake of important nutrients like protein, carbs and overall calorie.
Challenges with Weight Loss in Connecticut
The challenge for weight loss in Connecticut is staying ahead of seasonal shifts so that adjustments can be made to continue losing weight. Choosing not to pay attention to these changes will make it difficult to maintain a weight loss program as new seasonal foods get introduced.
The most impactful shift is fall to winter, with daytime temperatures ranging the mid-70’s in late September to well below freezing December through February.
Shifts to colder weather bring us indoors, with less natural movement, resulting in less calories burned overall for most people. When trying to lose weight, it’s important to either maintain activity levels with an altered schedule, or adjust food intake to match calories burned.
Colder weather and less daylight means we’ll be searching for warm, comforting foods that are naturally higher in calories, making it difficult to maintain a calorie deficit for continued weight loss. Carb-heavy soups and high-fat comfort foods take center stage, especially as we celebrate several major eating holidays within a short few months.
Winter to Spring Diet Transitions
While fall to winter changes are a relatively obvious problems for weight loss in Connecticut, winter to spring can be just as challenging. Many clients tell me that they struggle in winter, but “it will be smooth-sailing through the summer”.
They feel they tend to eat lighter foods like salads and grilled chicken, and engage in more outside activities, increasing their movement. But their results show another story.
Summer brings about carefree (or careLESS) eating. Less focus, more indulgences, more social events that make it difficult to stay on track. Hot weather (close to 100 degrees!) in July and August push people back indoors and into more sedentary lifestyles.
3 Important Steps for Tackling Seasonal Variability
Are those striving for weight loss in Connecticut and anywhere in New England destined never to reach their health and weight loss goals?
No! My most successful clients take 3 important steps to stay one step ahead of seasonal diet variability to ensure their weight loss success:
- Mark your calendar: about 2 weeks before each equinox, set aside some time to consider diet variability. Take inventory of your current diet habits, weight and other health measures. Think about some of your favorite foods you normally eat for the upcoming season. Map out how they could fit into your health and wellness plan now.
- Food logging: I highly suggest keeping tabs on eating habits using the My Fitness Pal app year round to keep a close eye on your weight loss habits. This allows you to see patterns changing in real time as you introduce new foods, and gives you time to course-correct quickly if needed.
- Get Support: Stay on top of seasonal changes with the help of a registered dietitian! Receive weekly meal plans full of seasonally-variable recipes through the virtual Healthy Habit Support Network from JD Nutrition LLC. Each week you can get delicious recipes inspired by the current season to keep you on track and in love with your food choices year-round.
With so many changes occurring in a one-year period, creating a weight loss plan that stands the test of seasons in Connecticut is a serious challenge. Recognizing when the seasons begin to shift and planning accordingly is the best way to maintain your health and wellness habits, and continue losing weight all year long.
For help creating or adjusting your weight loss plan, meet with Jackie Durand, RD, CDN for a virtual consultation at JD Nutrition LLC.