Gaining Weight
for gaining weight, Jennifer Hudson was first admired for her powerful voice, then her acting, then her body transformation. Regarding her weight issues, she had this to say: “The key thing is figuring out what your issues are, and it’s really never about the food. You have to be real and honest with yourself…When you acknowledge what the issue is, you can control it better.”
Is it really just about the food?
It might still surprise some people that the answer is, “No”. There are several causes of gaining weight, here are the 10 most common causes why you may be experiencing sudden weight shifts:
Hormonal changes
We, women, typically complain about feeling bloated some time right before we get our period. We’re not being drama queens, there’s proof that our estrogen and progesterone levels experience sharp fluctuations that cause us to have unhealthy cravings and favor fluid retention. Hormonal changes, including during pregnancy, also drives us to gain weight.
Sharp drops during menopause affect many of our body processes as estrogen is associated with many vital body functions. Coupled with slow down in metabolism, women are set to gain weight during menopause.
Certain medical conditions
There are certain diseases or conditions that also affect the proper regulation of our hormones, which include poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism and Cushing’s syndrome. Since hormones go haywire, so too does weight.
Edema or fluid retention
This condition is often brought about by another underlying health condition such as diseases related to the abnormal functioning of the heart, liver, kidneys, tumor and even diabetes. If you notice edema, it will be wise to consult a physician about your condition because it’s likely that your problem is more serious that a typical weight gain.
Aging and slower metabolism
Our bodies generally become less efficient at performing its essential functions, including metabolism, as we age. That said, expect weight gain to be part of your mature years.
Certain medications
There are medications that can bring about fluid retention or favor weight gain. Birth control pills are one of the most common medications that generally cause women to add on the pounds. Other medications that cause weight gain are corticosteroids, antidepressants and antipsychotic medications.
Poor sleeping habits and artificial light triggers appetite
Sleeping late causes your metabolism to significantly slowdown as poor sleeping patterns drive up Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, which triggers you to eat more while you are awake. Our modern lifestyle which is governed by our gadgets also disturbs the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Studies have found that white lights causes the mind and body to stay awake and, of course, you become hungry as you stay up late.
Depression, including Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Many of us turn to comfort food when we feel depressed. SAD is another well studied mental condition that has been observed to be more common around Fall and Winter. The general lack of sufficient sunshine causes people’s melatonin levels to become unregulated. This limits the body’s ability to distinguish between daytime and nighttime, which makes you crave for food even at night, when you’re already supposed to be full and into bed.
Lack of exercise and limited physical activity
If you hardly move around, including regularly getting into high intensity workouts, you eventually reach a point of caloric imbalance. Having high caloric surplus is one of the top causes of weight gain, and often, the major driver is lack of physical activity. If you have a big appetite, exercise is not an option. You have to burn the calories to maintain a healthy weight. Physical activity involves more than just working out. It requires you to move around more, such as do chores around the house, walk several blocks, or take the stairs instead of riding an elevator.
Poor eating habits
This is the main reason why most restrictive diets fail. You need all the food groups to stay healthy. What you don’t want to do is starve yourself because that will prompt your system to go into starvation mode. When it does, your metabolism slows down and you eat more and more frequently than you normally do. That causes you to gain a considerable amount of weight.
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CONCLUSION.
There’s more food for you to gain if you can learn how to taper your body to your ideal weight and figure. Not only will you look great but also feel healthier and better about yourself. If you know more causes of Gaining Weight, please share them in the comment section below.
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