Well, a lot of peoples have basically hibernated for the winter. Inuit hole up for almost half the year and live off provisions. Back in more agrarian days there really wasn't a whole lot to do all winter. Cows and chickens only make milk and eggs all year now from artificial stimulation.

People ate high fat preserved food. Cheeses, pemmican, manteca, bacon, etc. Also pickled stuff.

So if all you do is sit around, try living off tubs of lard and sauerkraut.