7 Reasons Why You Might Be Gaining Weight That Don't Involve Laziness Or Junk Food

Dec 27, 2018

Have you been packing on the pounds lately? You're not alone. Nearly 160 million Americans are overweight. Most doctors will tell you to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet, but what happens when that doesn't work? Fast food and an inactive lifestyle aren't the only causes of sudden weight gain.

If you're doing everything right and still not losing weight, you might have an underlying health condition. Hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome, chronic constipation, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes can all cause weight gain. These conditions also make losing weight more difficult.

Write It Down

Keep track of any symptoms you experience throughout the day. Are you always thirsty? Write it down. Do you feel bloated after eating? Write that down too. Are you constantly tired? You should definitely write that down.

Speak Up!

Make an appointment with your primary care physician. Don't be embarrassed to talk about all of your symptoms. If your doctor doesn't take your concerns seriously, demand to see a specialist. If that doesn't work, find a new doctor. Nobody knows your body better than you do.

According to the Mayo Clinic, an extra hour of sleep every night can make a huge difference in how much weight you gain every year. People who sleep less than six hours a night gain 11 pounds more a year compared to people who sleep more than seven hours every night.

Set A Schedule

Set a strict sleep schedule and stick to it. Many sleep experts recommend waking up at the same time on the weekend as you do during the week.

Avoid Electronics

Cell phones, televisions, computers, and tablets emit a blue light that suppresses melatonin production, making it difficult to fall asleep. Turn off electronics an hour before bedtime to sleep better.

Medications all come with side effects, and sometimes those side effects include weight gain. There is a long list of medications that cause weight gain including steroids, birth control, beta-blockers, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and certain antihistamines.

Talk To Your Doctor

Research the side effects of any medications you're taking and talk to your doctor. They may be able to write you a prescription for a different medication that doesn't cause weight gain. Never stop taking a prescription medication without first consulting your doctor. Dangerous side effects are possible if you suddenly stop taking prescription medication.

Our hormones fluctuate naturally throughout our lives. Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause are the main reasons behind hormone fluctuations, but anyone can experience unbalanced hormones.

Get Moving

The best way to combat your changing hormones is to exercise. Start slow, walking a half hour a day after dinner. Work your way up to 10,000 steps a day. Yoga and water aerobics are perfect for people who need low-impact exercise.

Consult Your Physician

Hormones are often affected by underlying health conditions. A simple blood test will tell your doctor everything they need to know about your hormone levels.

Cortisol is a hormone produced by your body when you are experiencing stress. Cortisol is also known as the hunger hormone because it increases your appetite. Your body interprets stress as danger, so it tries to save energy to protect you. This was great in the Stone Age when our ancestors relied on their fight-or-flight response to survive. Nowadays, it just makes us gain weight, leading to more stress.

Teach Yourself To Relax

Meditate, do yoga, go hiking or take up a new hobby. Stress relief is different for everyone. Find something that works for you and stick with it.

Talk to a Professional

Stress is complicated. Sometimes you need to speak to a therapist to understand what your main stressors are and the best way to deal with them.

Some people reward themselves with food while others eat to cope with stress. No matter the reason for emotional overeating; it will eventually lead to unwanted weight gain.

Ask Yourself Why You're Eating

Know the difference between physical hunger and emotional hunger. Is your stomach telling you you're hungry, or is it your brain? Are you eating because you're bored or anxious?

Replace Bad Behavior With Healthy Behavior

If you find yourself heading to the fridge because you're bored, take a walk instead. Distract yourself until any food cravings pass.

Don't get us wrong, eating fruit is always better than eating cookies and cake. However, some fruit contains excessive amounts of sugar. Remember that moderation is key when you're trying to lose weight.

Know Your Fruit

Some fruits contain less sugar than others. Watermelon, peaches, blackberries, strawberries, grapefruit, kiwis, oranges, avocados and lemons are all safe to eat in moderation.

Calories Count

Apples, pineapples, pomegranates, and grapefruit are great low-calorie snacks.

Are you struggling to lose weight? Or have you already successfully lost weight? We'd love to hear from you! Remember, telling your story could give hope to our readers who are trying to maintain a healthy weight. Don't forget to pass this along to your workout and diet buddies!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!