Do you find yourself putting on weight regardless of how healthy you eat and how much you exercise? Extra calories may not be the only cause of weight gain.
It’s no surprise that having a diet consisting of sugar, fast food, super-sized meals, alcohol and junk food will lead to weight gain, but how does one explain weight gain when you’re doing all the right things- like watching what you eat, exercising and counting calories? There is much more to weight gain than meets the eye. You may not realize it, but there are many lifestyle factors that could be making you fat.
Five Hidden Factors that Cause Weight Gain
1. Lack of Sleep:
When your body doesn’t get the
7-9 hours of sleep it needs, you feel tired and your body can’t function as it normally does and begins storing fat. A study at Harvard University
found that women who sleep only five hours per night are 32% more likely to gain weight than those who slept seven hours or more. Our bodies function best when we’re well rested. Being tired can lead to stress, which can then lead to consuming extra calories, which then causes one to gain weight.
2. Artificial Sweeteners:
Think twice about that
calorie-free soda you’re about to drink. You might think you’re not gaining weight from it because it has zero calories, but beware. There’s nothing good that will come out of drinking diet or regular soda.
3. Stress:
So many of us are guilty of turning to food to help relieve stress. Food is a temporary fix, but long-term it doesn’t work. Whether it’s at work or home life, you can easily be setting yourself up for weight gain. Starchy foods like potatoes, pasta and bread tend to be favorites that temporarily help relieve stress and make you feel better but can cause inflammation, as well as extra
unwanted calories.
4. Medications:
Some medications might be necessary to treat certain conditions, but with that may also come side effects that cause you to gain weight. Anti-depressants have been shown to decrease your metabolic rate and cause hormonal shifts in the body, which can lead to increased hunger. Some migraine relievers, steroids, birth control pills and
hormone replacement therapies may also cause weight gain. If you’ve gained more than five pounds in one month without changing your diet and lifestyle, check your medicine cabinet.
5. Lifestyle & Environment:
The way we live our daily lives can play a huge part in weight gain. There are so many factors beyond our control that can contribute to it. For one,
research has shown that adolescents who were breastfed as babies for three months or longer are less likely to be obese. Set aside some time and get some sleep, clean out your pantry, read prescription labels and know their side effects and clean up your environment. These simple and effective suggestions just might help you get to the ideal weight you want and deserve.
We Can Help
You have the power to change your brain! There are many ways to become sick, but there is a clear path to wellness and it’s more simple than you think. If you are ready to transform your life, we can help you. At Amen Clinics, we have spent decades helping people just like you improve their brain health. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or
schedule a visit.
