3 Strange But True Weight Gain Causes
Weight gain can be a bit of a mystery. Often it’s hard to put your finger on exactly what’s causing the problem—other than those cream pies you’ve been scoffing! 
But seriously, there are a few others things which can work against your good efforts to get slim. Here are some tips:
1. Lack of zzzzz’s
sxc.hu: hopee
Are you getting enough sleep? If you are, you’re in the minority!
Research indicates sleep is important for weight loss. We think it has something to do with leptin—the hormone that signals fullness, and an increase in ghrelin—the hormone that triggers hunger.
So, this means sleep deprivation may increase your appetite.
That’s a pretty big problem, with a relatively simple solution, i.e. get more sleep!
And, before you start thinking you can catch up on your sleep over the weekend, think again! 7 to 9 hours are recommended every night, if you want to avoid accruing a sleep debt, which can be very difficult to overcome.
Check out this article to help improve sleep quality.
2. Taking medication
sxc.hu: cx_ed
Much of the medication prescribed by your doc will have weight gain as a nasty side effect.
Now, I don’t mean you should stop taking your meds—definitely not—but it’s worth bearing in mind.
Firstly, you should take a good look at your lifestyle. Can you explain those extra pounds? If not, you should begin to suspect your medication, particularly if you recently started a new treatment.
The usual suspects include antidepressants, antipsychotics, steroids, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, or diabetes, high blood pressure and heartburn meds.
It’s good to know that in almost every case, your doctor can switch you onto another pill, which will be just as good in treating your original ailment.
3. Too much stress
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Most of us get a little stressed from time to time. That’s not really a big deal in terms of weight gain.
But, chronic stress, such as health or money worries, can really cause high levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This in turn increases your appetite, usually in favour of high fat, sugar and salt foods, which can lead to overeating.
Try to manage your stress levels, but do get seek professional help if you find this difficult.
Check out these 15 effective stress banishing tips.
Some of the best strategies for managing stress are:
- Deep breathing practises
- Exercising/stretching regularly
- Laughing/smiling often—even when you don’t feel like it!
- Writing about what’s stressing you
- Eating a healthy, whole food diet
What have you found to be working against your efforts to lose weight? Have you noticed any causes of weight gain which are unusual?
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28 Comments
Marina
02.23.2010
I think that a lot of people think that they will go on a diet for a while, lose weight and them “go back to normal”. And that normal usually consists of eating unbalanced, unhealthy meals, overeating and lack of exercise.
We need to realize thaat staying in good health and fitness requires a lifetime commitment, and not a 10 day long fad diet.
.-= Marina´s last blog ..Feb 19, Healthy Diet Recipes Collection For Healthy Living And Weight Loss =-.
Melanie
02.24.2010
Yes, I’m with you 100% on that!
bobbie
02.25.2010
Age is killing me. I’m now 47 and losing weight and even maintaining my weight has become very difficult. I still do the same amount of exercise and I still have the same appetite. Grrr, so frustrating!
.-= bobbie´s last blog ..#89 EAT STOP EAT =-.
Melanie
02.26.2010
Hi Bobbie,
Have you tried changing your exercise up a big? Sometimes doing something different or adding more intensity to your workout can kick-start your weight loss again.
Check out this article: http://www.dietriffic.com/2009/04/16/weight-loss-plateau/
JadeDragon@innovativepassiveincome
02.28.2010
Never enough sleep – stress is the culprit for me though.
.-= JadeDragon@innovativepassiveincome´s last blog ..Constant-Content.com Helps Writers Again =-.
Melanie
03.02.2010
Hi Jade,
It’s a problem for many, and can be difficult to overcome. Do you try to take time-out away from your work and other commitments regularly? I think that’s important.
Suni@Sole F80 Treadmill
03.11.2010
Very informative. You have really pointed the very important factors in loosing weight. However, those may sound very simple to others but very hard to those who don’t have any self-discipline and cannot control their eating habits.
.-= Suni@Sole F80 Treadmill´s last blog ..Sole F80 Treadmill =-.
Melanie
03.11.2010
Yes, that’s true. One person may have an issue that someone else perhaps hadn’t even thought about. Everyone is different.
mia@seo consultant
04.10.2010
Im a victim of stress and I may be like many but when I am stressed I eat! Maybe thats my cause of weight gain. Have you ever heard of gaining weight from the waist up from sitting at the pc too work. maybe if you work at home but It starts with the stomach, waist line, arms then neck, then face. You suddenly appear to look bigger in the upper body portions.
bean bags chairs
04.18.2010
Have you tried changing your exercise up a big? Sometimes doing something different or adding more intensity to your workout can kick-start your weight loss again.
Alex
bean bags chairs
.-= bean bags chairs´s last blog ..Comfy Sacks bean bag chairs =-.
Melanie
04.19.2010
Alex,
I agree, good tip.
digital bathroom scale
05.03.2010
Very helpful post. Thanks for putting up this informative article. Good tips. Great layout.
Melanie
05.03.2010
Thank you, I’m glad they were helpful.
bathroom wall cabinet
05.05.2010
Nice article. I will take notes of these things and I try to work on them.
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05.14.2010
Great article. Looking forward to reading more posts by you. Thanks.
.-= candle wall sconce´s last blog ..Candle Wall Sconce =-.
Melanie
05.14.2010
Thank you
Donut Bed
06.10.2010
I don’t have a major problem with my weight but seem to be unable to get rid of the half stone I would love to lose. I have read recently about this connection between lack of sleep and weight control and I think this may be the reason I am struggling. I never get enough sleep and even though tell myself every night that I will go to bed early I never seem to manage it.
.-= Donut Bed´s last blog ..Bowsers Donut Dog Bed “Diamond Microvelvet Collection” (Size=Large,Color=Celery) =-.
Melanie
06.12.2010
So, what’s your plan of action to get more sleep? Come on, let’s work on this — you can use my blog for accountability!
))
azman
06.27.2010
Good tips…
By the way, too much sleep also is not good .
I prefer to do an exercise consistently to maintain my weight.
If we don’t have a stress, we can sleep better….
Melanie
06.28.2010
Azman,
Yes, very true. Exercise really helps with weight loss or maintenance, it also helps us get better sleep. So great benefits all round!
hula hoop exercise
07.11.2010
I think controlling your diet and then doing any type of exercise routines on a daily basis can really control your weight. You can’t just eat and not to any sort of physical activity.
Creed Green Irish Tweed
08.04.2010
Sadly, I used to have a high metab. and didn’t have to worry about weight issues… then came my son… since then.. its a battle with weight and cellulite on the back of my legs. It’s very noticeable but I know its there. I read that you should eat 4 or 5 small meals a day because if you starve your body… it thinks it needs to start storing… so then the whole not eating thing doesn’t actually help you lose weight.
.-= Creed Green Irish Tweed´s last blog ..Comment by =-.
Melanie
08.12.2010
Yes, it’s important to eat small regular meals to keep your metabolism revved up. Do you exercise? That’s a great way to keep your metabolism high.
Oversized Chairs
08.12.2010
I’m with you on everything except the stress. When I’m stressed, my mind works a lot and hence I consume a lot of energy. I the effect of this will be a weight loss for me. It has happened to me a couple of times before.
Melanie
08.16.2010
You think stress is good for you?
murrieta dentist
02.21.2011
I think stress is probably the #1 thing that triggers weight gain for many of us. The worst part about it is that it can lead to other major health issues that you may not be aware of yet.
Melanie
02.21.2011
Although stress is difficult to avoid, when you know that it is so unhealthy, at least you can take steps to overcome it and therefore lessen the effects on your health long-term.
Argie - Personal Development Blog
12.22.2011
I never thought that sleep deprivation could cause people to gain weight. Actually, I myself have always been lacking those essential hours of sleep but still, I’m not gaining any weight at all. More so, I have been losing some instead. Perhaps this might be some problems in me.
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