THIS Is Why You Gain Weight in Winter

About this video

Yurth argues winter weight gain is partly biological, not only behavioral. She describes a yearly seasonal rhythm in which less light and cold shift melatonin, cortisol, thyroid activity, appetite hormones, dopamine, and sex and growth hormones in directions she says favor fat storage and make muscle gain harder. Modern indoor heating, artificial light, and screen time, she argues, blunt the cold and sleep signals the system evolved with, while winter inflammation further blunts training recovery. Her proposed response is seasonal rather than punitive: morning light, dim evenings, higher-protein seasonal eating, deliberate cold exposure, more sleep, maintaining strength rather than chasing maximal growth, and supporting vitamin D and other basics she names.

Key takeaways

• Plan health goals seasonally instead of expecting identical progress year-round
• Use morning light and evening darkness to support circadian and seasonal rhythms
• Treat winter as a maintenance and rebuild phase for muscle rather than a failure phase
• Use cold exposure and sleep as metabolic tools, not just comfort choices

Episode details: published December 8, 2025 · 293 views · 9:55 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The longevity and peptide concepts described are Dr. Elizabeth Yurth’s, presented for education — not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before changing your own health practices. Disclosure: Dr. Yurth is co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Boulder Longevity Institute, a clinic, and BLI Academy sells clinician education.

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