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 know that the whole “calories in, calories out” argument is an overly simplistic view of weight and it doesn’t work, never has, never will, otherwise our country wouldn’t have the obesity epidemic we have right now.
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 yes, 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, his is very common and not your fault one bit.
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. Rob and I recently had our physicals done with a complete blood panel and our hormones are right where they should be.
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.
Who ever thought you can sleep off your weight?
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. This is something that at our house we call “Sleep Hygiene” and it is one of our healthy habit routines. One secret we can tell you is that consistency is key!
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 (i.e. money, family or work, what you can do is adjust your stress response to them. And it is possible as we have learned ourselves firsthand, it takes dedication and concentration but you can successfully lower your stress levels. We work closely with clients on a daily basis and help to instill healthy habits that can reduce stress levels and make life more manageable.
Pro Tip: Try meditation or yoga. Walks in nature. And yes, even mindful eating.
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.
Recipe (Thyroid friendly iodine): Seaweed Sushi Bowl
Serves 2
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 avocado (thinly sliced)
- ½ cucumber (diced)
- ½ red pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 green onion (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons dried seaweed (arame, wakame, or crumbled nori sheets)
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons gluten-free tamari sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ garlic clove
- dash salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Split the first seven ingredients into two bowls.
- Mix the rest of the ingredients together to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the sushi bowls.
Serve & Enjoy!
Tip: This is a great lunch to take on the go. Keep dressing in a separate container so you can give it a shake before adding it onto the sushi bowl.
We will have more information about our 4-Week Healthy Habit Stacking Program which launches on September 18th, more details coming soon, in HHS we cover how to dig in and focus on lifestyle habits (stress, etc.) so you can put an end to dieting!
Dedicated to your success,
References:
https://authoritynutrition.com/lose-weight-in-menopause/