5 Reasons You Haven’t Been Able To Lose Weight This Winter No Matter How Hard You Try

As the temperature drops, so does your motivation to move, says John Raglin, Ph.D. an exercise researcher at Indiana University Bloomington’s School of Public Health. Once you’re home for the night, do you really want to take a trip back outside to head to the gym?

So chances are that you’re not logging in as many weekly workouts as you were before it got so cold. And even if you do make an effort to hit the gym regularly, you’re probably spending more time inside when you’re not working out. Think of all the time you spend in the summer walking your dog or just strolling along sightseeing. All that movement adds up to more daily activity, meaning you were burning a lot more calories than you are when you’re just killing time with nightly Netflix binges, Raglin explains.

Plus, when you’re cooped up indoors in front of your TV, you’re at greater risk of mindless snacking, says Men’s Health nutrition advisor Alan Aragan, M.S.

And you’re probably choosing junk: In fact, one Portuguese study found that people who watched more than 120 minutes of TV per day—just one after-work flick—ate significantly more fat and less fruits and vegetables than those who didn’t, he adds.

So go outside, even if it’s just for a little bit, suggests Raglin. Try making a pact with a buddy to hold each other accountable. Take a quick walk once a day during lunch, shovel each other’s driveway, or start doing a winter sport together (these three winter sports are our favorite). It’s a simple way to incorporate more daily activity and boost your energy levels, Raglin says.