People gain the most weight during major festive periods like Christmas/New Year and Easter, but significant seasonal gains also happen in the winter, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, due to colder weather, less activity, and richer foods, while studies in Australia show weight gain peaks during their summer holidays too. Overall, weight tends to creep up slowly throughout the year, with holiday spikes being most pronounced.
Dear Reader: Yes, the data show that many people gain a bit of weight each year during the holidays. Considering the season of indulgence spans two months, from the sugar rush of Halloween to the soothing comfort foods of New Year's Day, it's not that hard to understand why.
Many people gain at least a little weight during the winter. The shorter days and longer nights mean we spend less time outdoors being active. Colder weather often deters physical activity, especially outdoor workouts. And the winter months can mess with your sleep routine and lead to poor food choices.
Some women are at their heaviest during their period – but some women gain more weight around ovulation. For many women, weight starts to climb in the second half of their cycle after ovulation and culminates with a peak on the first day of their period.
5-7 days before your period: Weight begins increasing as progesterone peaks. First day or two of menstruation: Weight may reach its highest point. Days 3-5 of your period: Weight starts normalizing as you shed excess water.
If you want to lose weight, it's important to know that your metabolism speeds up during the luteal phase. This means you burn calories faster than usual in the week before your period.
Causes of weight gain before and after the menstrual cycle
Due to changes in progesterone and estrogen hormones at this time, the body has many fluctuations. Up to 90% of women experience this weight gain because hormonal changes in the body cause the tissues to retain more water, causing water heaviness.
The Best Time to Weigh In
You should step on the scale first thing in the morning. That's when you'll get your most accurate weight because your body has had the overnight hours to digest and process whatever you ate and drank the day before. And you should try to turn that step into a regular part of your routine.
For example, if someone is 5'8” and weighs 200 lbs The BMI reading would be 30.4 which would put the person in the obese category.
Many people experience short-term weight fluctuations of 1 to 2 kilograms (kg) within 3-weeks, which may be due to lifestyle or dietary changes. However, weight gain that is more rapid than this may indicate several underlying health conditions that require medical treatment.
Epidemiologists have observed that the average person typically puts on 1 to 2 pounds a year from early adulthood through middle age. The CDC's numbers show that much of the increase is concentrated in the 20s, for men and women. The average man in his 20s weighs around 185 pounds, according to the CDC.
Over the summer months, the warm weather aids in our ability to successfully lose weight. Exercising outdoors, eating fresh summer fruits, and enjoying a reduced appetite, all of which aid in your weight loss goals.
In winter, the body may also store more fat to insulate itself from the cold and maintain warmth. This can make it difficult to shed excess pounds and may contribute to weight gain. Another biological factor that may contribute to winter weight gain is a lack of vitamin D.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
Because the extra weight during your period is usually just water weight and not actual body fat, it's only temporary. The weight usually appears in the days before your period and goes away about 3-5 days after you start bleeding.
Contrary to what you may think, weight gain may be more likely during the summer than in winter. In fact, research published in 2016 reported that even young children tend to gain more weight during the summer months, not during the fall and winter months when school is in session.
Ozempic is typically recommended for individuals who have a BMI of 30 or higher, which falls into the obese category, or for those with a BMI of 27 or higher who have additional health concerns such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
A clear definition of morbid obesity is very important because this definition is used to guide doctors in the selection of treatment options for people who are overweight. Individuals are usually considered morbidly obese if their weight is more than 80 to 100 pounds above their ideal body weight.
Smith says the first 2 is for two different types of meals: fatty meals and carb-heavy meals. The second 2 represents non-food related aspects like weekly weigh-ins and introspective journaling, while the third 2 represents exercise consisting of bodyweight and/or high intensity interval workouts.
It's completely normal to feel lighter and weigh a bit less in the morning due to overnight water loss and an empty digestive system. To get the most accurate picture of your progress, try weighing yourself at the same time each morning, ideally before eating or drinking.
Healthcare providers consider rapid weight gain to be a major increase in your body weight over a short period of time. If you gain 2 to 3 pounds a day, or 5 pounds a week, you should see your provider.
Bloating, or swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the tissues can cause weight gain. This may be due to menstruation, heart or kidney failure, preeclampsia, or medicines you take. A rapid weight gain may be a sign of dangerous fluid retention. If you quit smoking, you might gain weight.
Hormonal fluctuations throughout the cycle can cause shifts in water retention, cravings, and digestion, leading to temporary weight changes that might make you feel like you're not making any progress. But don't worry—these fluctuations are entirely normal and often balance out after your period.
So, in the end, while we may feel hungry just before, or during, our periods for several societal, physiological, and psychological reasons, we do not need to consume more Calories.