You are positive that you're not eating more food or “junkier” food but you're still gaining weight.
Is this possible?
Yes! You are NOT crazy!
And here's why.
We both know that the whole “calories in, calories out” argument is an overly simplistic view of weight.
There's definitely more to the story than just what you're eating, right?
A lot of this comes right down to your metabolic rate which is affected by things like your activity level, history of dieting, body composition, and even what you eat.
But, let's go beyond the “eat less and exercise more” advice and dive into some of the less obvious underlying reasons why you may be gaining weight even though you're eating the same.
Things like:
Aging;
Hormones;
Sleep;
Stress.
Aging
Funny things happen the older we get. People commonly experience lower energy levels, more digestive discomfort, weight gain, as well as aches and pains.
Aging can result in hormonal changes for both men and women. And these can contribute to loss of some lean muscle mass, as well as increases and changes in fat storage on our bodies.
The good thing is that, although it is a normal process of life, you can control the rate at which your body is aging.
Pro Tip: Limit food preservatives and artificial sweeteners that affects your neurological system - neurodegenerative diseases, avoid fried foods that results in oxidative damage - cardiovascular diseases, and control your blood sugar to preserve the function of your mitochondria (the energy center of your cells) - obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Hormones
Your thyroid is the master controller of your metabolism and can be a massive contributor to your weight gain. There are several things that can affect it and throw it off course.
When your thyroid gets off course and produces fewer hormones your metabolism slows down. And when your metabolism slows down you can gain weight. Even though you're eating the same way you always have.
Pro Tip: Talk with your doctor about having your hormones tested. And do not diet chronically. You need to eat in balance most of the time to ensure a healthy metabolism.
Sleep
There is plenty of research that shows the influence that sleep has on your metabolic rate.
And as we age it can become harder and harder to get a good night's sleep.
The general consensus is to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night to help avoid weight gain.
It's true! Lack of sleep is linked with weight gain.
Pro Tip: Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night. The first place to start is by implementing a calming before bedtime routine.
Stress
It seems to be everywhere! So many things that can cause stress responses in your body.
And you know that stress hormones are not going to help you sustain healthy habits or maintain a healthy weight, right?
While you can't necessarily change your stressors you can try to adjust your stress response to them.
Pro Tip: Try meditation or yoga. Or even mindful eating. What about those new adult colouring books that are all the rage now?
Conclusion
There are lots of factors that can affect your weight, even if you're eating the same way you always have. Aging, hormones, stress, and sleep are all interconnected to each other and can all contribute to weight gain, even if you're eating the same way you always have.
When it comes to weight loss, a sustainable approach that emphasizes implementing healthy nutrition and lifestyle habits is the only way to win over time. Your strategy should focus on restoring hormonal imbalances and reviving your metabolism, which will lead to an optimal body composition that will last and be easy to maintain, even with aging!
If you need help in this process, consider joining the Reset Program!
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