7 Hidden Reasons Of Your Constant Weight Gain
You may have gained some weight and you’re not sure why. Or you may have started eating healthier and nothing happened. That’s discouraging. Maybe we can enlighten you with some hidden reasons people gain and maintain unwanted weight. Here are seven major reasons:
The Medicine Cabinet
If you are taking antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, look at the side effects on your disclosure from the pharmacy. Antidepressants are a major culprit for causing weight gain as a side effect. There are a number of other drugs that cause weight gain including antihistamines, antihypertensive, antipsychotics, steroids, and seizure medications. Do not discontinue any drug without consulting your physician.
Metabolism
Studies show that if you work at night or have chronic tiredness, you may gain and maintain weight. Also, our bodies don’t burn calories at the same rate as it did when we were 21. This slowing of the metabolism with age can cause a weight gain. That includes menopausal women.
Activity
People who suffer from Musculoskeletal disorder in their feet and legs may gradually slow down and become less active, causing fewer calories to be burned. Examples include arthritis, plantar fasciitis, or bad knees or ankles.
The more TV you watch, the more likely you are to gain or maintain an undesirable weight. Too much time on the couch is less time being active or getting exercise.
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Diet
Many people do not know correct portion sizes. A serving of meat is about the size of your palm. A serving of cheese is one slice. A serving of pasta is 1/2 cup. These are surprising numbers to people who do not know much about nutrition. By cutting back portions, calories are cut and weight is lost.
Many foods are labeled as low fat, so consumers expect that they are also low calorie. Often these foods have more sugar and more carbohydrates and do not help with a healthy eating plan.
Snacks
Lots of us snack all the time and aren’t even aware of it. We sample when we are cooking, grab a candy bar out of the machine at work and hit the refrigerator while we are watching TV. If you are a snacker, a good way to lose some weight quickly, is to stop eating in between meals.
Stress
When you experience stress, your adrenal glass increase hormone production like Cortisol which depletes serotonin, raises blood pressure and triggers hunger pangs. If you want to lose weight, sometimes the easiest way is to reduce the stress and the stress related eating by getting at the root cause.
RELATED ARTICLE: Don’t Let Stress Ruin Your Day
Drinking
Studies show that people eat up to 500 more calories when they eat after drinking. In addition, alcohol has a high caloric value particularly if you drink a mixed drink. A Pina Colada is over 400 calories. Each glass of wine is about 120 calories. Liquor without a mix is around 100 calories and beer is around 125 calories. If you drink a couple of drinks a day, that is the equivalent of 25 pounds each year.