Posted by Steve in Motivation | 46 Comments
Winter Weight Loss vs. Summer Weight Loss
Living in Canada I get the full effects of the 4 seasons. From the bitter chill of winter to the hot and humid summers. Since I’m not a huge fan of spending all my time in the gym, I need to get outdoors and that means I have to deal with the elements.
Reviewing the past few years of my weight loss journey I wanted to see which season has been the most effective for losing weight and why? Here are my thoughts on Winter weight loss vs Summer weight loss.
Summer Weight Loss
These are some of the positive activities that I can do during the summer time (May – August, Yes I know summer starts in June)
Running
I’m an avid runner, 5k’s and local runs around the neighborhood are what I enjoy and in the summer time it’s fairly easy to get 5 runs a week in. The nights are comfortable and with the sun setting after 9pm I’m able to finish my runs before the sun sets. This is a huge psychological boost for me plus I’m able to burn a ton of calories and I’m not sitting in front of the TV.
Team Sports
Softball and Basketball are 2 team sports that I love to participate in (despite injuring my knee playing basketball that sidelined me for 3 months). Basketball in particular really gets your heart pumping and utilizes muscles you forgot you even had. Outdoors courts are everywhere and you can even get a great workout playing alone.
Softball is not considered a big calorie burner as half the game you’re sitting on your butt. But I like to play in Tournaments that go all day. I end up playing 4-5 games in a day and that eats up a lot of calories.
Yard Work
I don’t have a huge yard but it is big enough to keep me busy all summer long. Cutting the grass, gardening, trimming, pruning and pulling the damn weeds (Canada has a ban on pesticides for use on lawns and it’s killing me).
Golf and Mountain Biking
Golf is expensive but a great workout, as long as you are walking the course and carrying your clubs you’re burning a ton of calories. (I skip the carts, including the beer cart….most times 
)
I’ve recently gotten back into mountain biking and wow did I miss it. Trail riding is a huge calorie burner, especially if you have a crappie Walmart brand bike like mine (seriously it only has half the gears it used to have and the remaining ones slip, Hint hint @TrekBikes please send a new one my way ) Trek Bikes are the Nike of mountain bikes.
Outdoor Time With The Kids
My kids are at the age where they want to spend all their time outside riding bikes, playing at the park, going for walks, playing soccer, frisbee etc.. my point is we are always out side during the summer. Weight loss and burning calories aside spending time with my kids is the most important part of my day.
Winter Weight Loss
These are the positive things about trying to lose weight during the winter months (November to March)
Clearing The Snow
We get a lot of snow (the last 2 years almost broke the all-time records) and clearing it is no easy task. Shoveling 6-10 inches every few days is great for burning calories if you’re doing it properly. Plus on my street once you’re done your driveway you help your neighbors finish theirs.
Playing in the Snow
Once you’ve piled the snow it’s time to play in it, with the kids of course. Building snowmen, snowball fights and tobogganing are what make winter and all that snow worth having. Packed snow is heavy and toboggan hills are steep and all that lifting and incline walking help to burn off the excess calories.
Skating
While I’m not a great skater, in fact I can’t even stop, I do like to get out on the outdoor rinks and ponds for a few hours of skating and shinny with friends and family. Plus holding the kids up while teaching them to skate really works the back.
So Which Season is the Best for Weight Loss?
Now while I have to admit I am way more active in the summer time outdoors than the winter time, looking over my weight charts it looks as though Winter is when my weight. BMI and body fat% drop to their lowest points of the year.
There could only be 1 reason for this: FOOD.
Our summers are filled with barbeques, steaks, burgers and hotdogs and drinking with the neighbors. We tend to eat out more often (patio season) and with all the activities I do I tend to eat a lot more than I normally would.
One of my vices has always been nighttime eating, in fact I still struggle with this today and in the summer time it is so easy to hop in the car and hit the drive through or the convenience store for a bag of chips.
I hate the cold I mean sometimes it gets so bad that I feel like moving to Florida or California. The cold is a huge deterrent for my nighttime eating habits and the snow gets in the way of that as well. Unless I’m going outside with a strong purpose and I’m properly dressed for the cold, I stay inside. This gives me time to prepare better meals and plan ahead for the next few days, plus I have an excuse to use the treadmill in the basement.
What season do you lose most of your weight in? Let me know what you think.
Play more with your kids and you will lose weight
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Chemist Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:22 am
Yes thats the best way to loose weight, and mummy’s can always keep themselves fit in this way. Its a kind of exercise … lol
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Steve Reply:
January 8th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
I can’t keep up with them, they run circles around me already. I play with them everyday and it’s the best part of my day. (except bedtime, they’re not very good sleepers
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Hi Steve! Sorry I haven’t been by in a while to visit.
I don’t lose weight in either season, because I always figure out a way to not be active and to continue to eat like a horse. lol My weight is still an issue right now (40 lbs overweight), but I’m working on a Master’s degree and I’m working full time so I’m not focusing on it too much right now. I am trying to work out more often, so at least I can keep some muscle tone.
I have you added to my blog now so I will be stopping by regularly! (Is that a promise or a threat??)
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Steve Reply:
October 29th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Not having the time to workout is understandable, especially when you’re going for your Master’s. I’ve found even quick 10 minute sessions throughout the day work really well, a quick run or some push ups should help.
Thanks for checking in again.
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I tend to lose more weight in the winter, but I think that’s more because I become a recluse. I hate the cold and want nothing to do with it, so I stay indoors as much as I can. It’s also when I slack at the gym the most.
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Steve Reply:
October 29th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I hate the cold as well, if I could afford it I’d live in California 6 months of the year. I like to run the stairs at home in the winter, it keeps me active and it’s a great leg burn.
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I actually find that I eat much more in the winter because it is cold. also don’t go out as much so don’t get as much exercise. So generally I put on weight during the winter. maybe I should just hibernate
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internesting post. I have never thought of the difference before but maybe there is one. I lost over 100 pounds but this was over the spring and summer. I think it alsi depends on what is a priority for people to but great post. The simple things make the difference,
david
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eat much more in the winter because it is cold. also don’t go out as much so don’t get as much exercise
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I love this article! I’ve not thought about dieting in these terms before… but I will now1 seasonal activities that can be fun, but can also burn off the calories! I must admit thought, that I struggle most with winter weight loss… and in my case it’s more like winter weight gain. How easy it is to snuggle up in front of the radiator and munch on comfort food, staving off the freezing temperatures outside… LOL
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What to do in cold weather? Eat and sleep.
I gain more weight during winter than summer.
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I prefer Summer Weight Loss over Winter Weight Loss. You can do more fun things during summer than winter.
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My weight is at the lowest during the warmer seasons, and I think it’s because of outdoor activity. This is one of the reasons I’m focusing so much on my caloric intake at the moment, as we head into the colder, wetter weather – I don’t want to gain any more weight! Acck!! lol
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Steve Reply:
October 29th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Focusing on the food is twice as important as exercising during the winter it seems, as most of the people commenting tend to overeat
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Nice reading.
Common mistakes made by walkers…
1. Do not over stride
2. Do not use too vigorous arm movements
3. Do not look at the ground
4. Do not hunch your shoulders
5. Do not carry hand weights or place weights on your ankles
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Steve Reply:
January 8th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
What is wrong with carrying hand weights? You can get a great workout by doing curls, shoulder presses, triceps extensions and arm raises all while getting a great cardio workout.
I say carry hand weights, you may look silly but it will help you burn extra calories, strengthen muscles and help your muscular endurance.
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Yeah I think it’s true that most people gain weight during the winter and then try to lose it for the summer. Eating right and exercising is definitely the biggest factors in losing weight, but some unlucky individuals can never get rid of cellulite, etc… the best alternative for those are celluliate treatments
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I think it is really important to keep active all year round, even if it is just half an hour a day or a quick walk. I think a lot of people find it harder in winter, bad weather for example, but it is really important to keep it up. Exercise does wonders for the mind as well as the body.
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Steve Reply:
October 29th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I’m a pretty big runner and I hate running in the cold. For no other reason than I never know what to wear!!!!
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I know i gain in the winter, first halloween gives up all the candy and then turkey time and Christmas and all them leftovers…dag now i’m hungry again.
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Steve Reply:
January 8th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
It’s like a 6 week over eating obstacle course.
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Cycling was my main excercise before five years, in my recommendation its the best of all.
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I gain lot of weight during summer then again at December i want to be fit again. So i try walking and cycling to stay fit as of now.
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Steve Reply:
January 8th, 2010 at 10:24 pm
December seems to be the biggest month for weight gain, for most people. For some reason though I end up losing weight, even with all the extra big meals.
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I live in Socal, so this isnt really an issue for us (smile), but I think you raise a good point in that people should keep the time of year in mind when they will be more or less active and when they will be eating more or less.
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I notice a lot of people mentioning time as their reason not to exercise. Although this is the most widely use “reason” , there are alternatives to “all out workouts” that you can do any time. Simply flexing and releasing muscles will burn calories and tone muscles. You can do it while sitting at a desk or during your commute to and from work. Another easy trick is to stand up and pace whenever you talk on the phone. It is surprising how many miles you can go.
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For me summer season is best for weight loss because you can do lots of outdoor activities than winter season. But in the end it will all depends on the kind and amount of food you eat.
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I think these are funny and useful tips. I agree that most of people gain weight at winter season, and they decide to lose weight at the beginning of the summer season. Maybe it’s an easy way to hide the extras:)
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Where I live, it’s like summer all of the time sorta like California. I find I lose more weight in summer because it’s so hot all you want to do is drink water.
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Great Blog! particularly like the latest post on seasonal weight loss I tend to lose the most weight in the summer Ive got lots of tips and reviews on weight loss on my blog also.
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Interesting..I seem to lose much more weight and even faster in winter than summer with the same exercise and amounts of foods in both season..I dont know if its to do with the body trying to heat up more in winter or something.
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more protein less carbs is the best diet! =) avoid eating too much rice for thats the only reason why we usually gain weight.
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Nice post!
The most important part is to have fun while exercising.
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Well, I would say that Summer works good for me. In winters, I feel really lazy to go to a gym. In summers, I am quite active and I can exercise a lot, I lost a few pounds this summer, so I can proudly say that Summer Season Rocks
…
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It saddens me that in Malaysia, there is just one season available only – Summer
A lot of diet programs and weight loss plans are available nowadays. But I believe that it is unnecessary suitable to everyone.
Diet programs play important role in any weight loss plans. Without proper diet programs, a weight loss plans could not be carried out successfully although you have put efforts in your excercising programs. Diet programs can be divided into several categories, it depends on your body type, your life style, and of course, on your pleasure.
So what we have to do always to customize the diet programs that suit for us; take the online information as references, instead of follow blindly.
Good luck everyone!
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Thanks for such an important and useful info about weight loss. There are different reasons behind over-weight like heredity, emotional eating, wrong eating habits etc. First the cause should be found out before adopting any dieting programme…all the best
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I lose so much more weight in the winter, even with the holiday meals stacking up. I think it’s because I live in the south and the oppressive heat during the summer months just saps my will to get sweaty in the gym – not so during the colder winter months!
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I always get a bit round in the winter.(and I hate it) And now the holidays are coming too…
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I live in Australia, and I’d say the beach is the number one seasonal related exercise… and we are still the fattest country!!!
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I lose the weight in the summer as I’m a summer athlete/frolicker. I’ll gain the fat along with muscle in the winter and hopefully burn off a little in the summer swimming/running/playing rugby. Foods are also seasonal with starchy sweet potatoes, potatoes, apples, squash in the winter with lighter oranges, peppers, tomatoes, and berries in the summer.
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weather condition can affect our weight loss regimen. In physical exercise during winter season effort should be doubley done to take out the same amount of sweat during summer.
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I think I agree with you to choose winter as the best season to lose weight. As long as we eat healthy food.Why, because in summer, I can hold myself to eat ice cream and other such materials. Of course because of taste and sense of thirst reliever. Although now I can find ice cream with low calorie, but if I eat it in large quantities, it will continue to add calories. Was in the winter, I usually spend my time in the house when not forced to travel. So, there will be plenty of time to exercise and eat healthy foods
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Summer any day
Winter is the weight-gain season.
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Can somebody tell me if Timeworks really gives you a great workout, because I think it’s not that effective to me….4 minutes of workout, I still have to do some aerobics and some weight lifting….
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Living in Southern California and seeing so many healthy people every where. I need to follow their lead and exercise
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