Throw that New Year’s resolution in the trash. Starting a diet in January is a bad idea, researchers have found.

A study at the University of Exeter in England shows that when you try to lose weight in the dead of winter, the evolutionary deck is stacked against you.

In our hunter-gatherer days, being underweight in the winter was life-threatening. Food was scarce. So packing on extra weight in cold months became a trait favored by evolution. Paleolithic man developed a stronger urge to eat in winter. 1,2

The researchers used computer modeling based upon the optimal amount of fat humans should store for survival. They cross-referenced this to the amount of food available to early man. They found that when food is scarce, people attempt to build their fat reserves. When food is readily available, they shed extra pounds.

The lead researcher stated: “New Year’s Day is the worst possible time to start a new diet.”

So when is the best time to try to lose weight? As you might suspect, it’s the warmer months.3,4

Sunlight increases serotonin levels. This gives us a sense of well-being and makes us less likely to fall prey to food cravings.

Warmer weather and longer days mean people spend more time outside being active instead of inside sitting in a chair.

In the warmer months we are thirstier. This means we drink more water, which fights hunger. There is also an abundance of seasonal fresh and low-calorie vegetables and fruits. Your body counts nutrients, not calories. So if you eat the right nutrients, your body will feel full.

Here’s how you can increase your chances of diet success:

• Set a date to start. This allows you to mentally gear up towards the big day. You gain motivation and resolve. Choose any day in the warm weather months between April and September.5
• Out with the bad. As the day approaches, go through your kitchen and get rid of all foods that don’t fit your diet.6
• Buddy up. Find a diet partner. This can mean the difference between success and failure. Diet buddies give each other mutual support.7
• Use the Paleo diet. We have long advocated this high-protein, low-carb eating plan. It not only helps you lose weight, but boosts overall health.

But there are even easier ways to see real weight loss results…

Like the secret “switch” you can flip that tells your body to burn fat instead of store it… The little-known chemical one doctor says makes your body demand unhealthy high-calorie foods… And how to shed pounds of body fat—without cutting back on the foods you love.

Discover how to unlock your fat-burning potential HERE.

In Good Health,

Angela Salerno
Publisher, INH Health Watch

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References:
1http://consumer.healthday.com/mental-health-information-25/behavior-health-news-56/are-we-programmed-to-overeat-in-winter-706773.html
2http://www.zmescience.com/ecology/climate/over-eating-winter-823424/
3http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/lose-weight-summers-good-time-diet/story?id=10842378
4http://www.dnaindia.com/health/report-summer-best-time-to-shed-weight-1671384
5http://www.livestrong.com/article/407522-the-best-day-or-date-to-start-a-diet/
6http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss/art-20047752
7http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/choosing-weight-loss-buddy