Maybe you looked at your pictures from a few months ago and realized you were a little thinner, maybe checked your weight and noticed a drastic weight gain, or even worse, your clothes no longer fit. I know the struggle!!
There are many reasons why people gain weight and here are five reasons why your weight might be going up, followed by 5 suggestions on what you can do.
1. Stress: Everyone handles stress differently. Some people eat food to feel better while others cannot stand the sight of food. If you eat more when you are stressed then this might be the reason why you gained weight.
2. Dieting: I hate the word "dieting" for many reasons. Eating healthy is a lifestyle and when people "diet," they choose a very intense diet plan that is not sustainable. Usually, dieting ends up destroying your metabolism and even when you go back to eating normal, it is possible to experience weight gain.
3. Under active Thyroid: This is a medical reason and can be confirmed by your doctor. If you feel that your weight gain is due to a health reason, please contact your doctor.
4. Medication: Some medications, like steroids or hormones, can make you gain weight. Please ask your doctor about various side effects, especially weight gain when you are being prescribed a medication.
5. Aging: This is one factor that we cannot avoid, but yes, as we age, our metabolism does slow down and we tend to lose muscle. It is advised to continue regular weight training to maintain muscle mass which will help with keeping your metabolism high.
What can I do?
1. Don't freak out : I did this a lot, but gaining weight is just part of the human experience, it is not as bad as you think and it is very reversible.
2. Implement a workout plan: Implementing a workout plan will allow you to stay organized and keep you on track. Some people prefer hiring a personal trainer, while others rather go solo, but whatever you prefer, don't rush yourself to lose weight. Instead, enjoy and learn about your body as you embark on this journey.
3. Diet Diet Diet: I know I said that I hated that word, and I do, but what you eat is everything! Do not underestimate this! Make it a habit to choose healthier options. If you need help with your diet, you can contact a nutritionist or a certified meal prep coach. Also experiment with your meals, notice what foods make you feel better and how your body responds to them. For example, beans might be a weight gainer for others, but you might notice that you actually lose weight when you eat it.
4. Portion Control: This is very important! Portion control is everything! Even if you eat healthy, you still need to learn how much you should be eating! (I will be posting sample meal plans to help you get an idea about your plate should look like.)
4. Talk to your physician: Your physician can be a great resource as well. They are highly trained professionals that can look into your system to make sure that everything doing what it's suppose to do, so definitely use them!
Thank you for reading my blog and please feel free to email me if you have any questions concerns, or comments at fitnessmindsconnect@gmail.com
xoxo
Stefanie Choh
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