Reasons Why You're Gaining Weight

Aside from the obvious reasons like overeating and having a sedentary lifestyle, there are other things that make us fat. Though these two are the most celebrated culprits, it is not wise to disregard factors that sabotage our weight loss goals. It is best to know where the pounds are coming from. This gives us a fighting chance of either accepting it or finding ways to correct it. Weight loss can be difficult when you don't know what's keeping you from it. Knowing what causes the failure can and will make a difference. If you think you are losing the battle against fat, don't quit yet. You only need to find the reason of your failure in order to win the war.

Life today is so stressful. When we are under stress, hormones like cortisol and leptin are released. Our bodies prepare for the fight or flight response and stores fuel, slows down metabolism and goes into survival mode. Because stress is so rampant, our bodies go through this process frequently. This results in weight gain especially in the abdominal region. Lack of sleep actually is a physiologic stress and causes your body to store fat. The combination of sleepless nights and daytime stress can wreck havoc to on your diet too. You may frequently reach for comfort foods in order to cope. Of course, food will not remedy the problem, and in no time, you are going to face another problem: that of an expanding waistline.

A medical condition that causes you to gain weight is hypothyroidism. A decrease in the production of thyroid hormones causes your metabolism to slow down which causes you to lose your appetite but still gain weight. Cushing's Syndrome causes an increase in the production of the stress hormone, cortisol. Also, some medications for depression, high blood pressure, migraines and diabetes can contribute to weight gain. Steroids are notorious for causing water retention. Medications can contribute but rarely are the main cause of weight gain. Consult your doctor before making any changes in your therapeutic regimen. Oftentimes, the benefits of these medications far outweigh the side effects.

Menopause is a natural occurrence in a woman's life but it can increase your weight. Hormonal changes can trigger hunger, depression and a lack of sleep. Along with these, there is the natural slowing down of metabolic activity. Changes in hormones, specifically estrogen affects how fat is distributed in the body. When there is a loss of estrogen, like in menopause, fat is more inclined to settle in the midsection. Menopause is also the time when women begin to get inactive and may significantly contribute to weight gain.

If you are having a hard time losing weight, you may be having one of the above mentioned conditions. If you suspect a medical condition, you have to consult your doctor. Remember, however, that losing weight is not the be all and end all of fitness. Fitness is having a healthy lifestyle. That in itself is your reward.