While many reasons for weight gain are related to medical conditions that are outside your control, it’s worth to investigate what’s causing you to gain weight. Discover the weird reasons for weight gain that could be affecting you.
From prescription medication and lack of sleep to nutritional issues and medical conditions, here are some possible answers to the question “Why am I gaining weight?”.
Not Getting Enough Nutrients
If you’re not getting the right balance of nutrients, your weight could go up, no matter how much you eat or exercise. Iron, calcium, magnesium and vitamin D are crucial nutrients you should be getting from natural sources. If you’re dealing with an unidentified mineral or vitamin deficiency, your metabolism will slow down and you’ll feel like you’re lacking energy.
Medication
Prescription medication is also among the weird reasons for weight gain. Contraceptives can play a big part in weight gain, along with many other oral medication, including anti-depressants, steroids, and even diabetes medication. If you notice that your weight is increasing after starting a new treatment, tell your doctor about it and find out if you can try an alternative treatment, that doesn’t list weight gain among its side-effects.
Hormonal Imbalance
If your adrenal glands and ovaries are producing too much testosterone, you’ll gain weight, along with other unpleasant symptoms, including your period becoming irregular. The sudden onset of acne is another side-effect of hormone imbalances. Women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also experience a gradual weight gain.
Lack of Sleep
Even if you’re getting 6-7 hours of sleep per night, your body might not be rested enough to function well in every way. To cross it off the list of weird reasons for weight gain, try going to sleep earlier to see how 30 or even 15 minutes of extra sleep can make a difference. While you might feel rested after more than 8 hours of sleep, studies have shown an increase in weight for people who sleep too much.
Thyroid Trouble
Weight gain is one of the side effects of hypothyroidism, but cases where the thyroid is the reason for massive weight gain are rare. If you’ve put on around 5-10 pounds, it could be your thyroid acting up. The condition may also cause you extra fluid retention, but if you’re prescribed the right treatment, the extra pounds should go away.
See also: Bad Habits That Lead to Weight Gain
Slow Digestion
Food being stuck in your digestive system for long is also among the weird reasons for weight gain, especially when you’re dealing with constipation. The bowel can be responsible for slowing down your metabolism, which makes weight gain a very likely option, while efforts to drop extra pounds will be less successful.
Depression
If you’re dealing with depression, you’re more likely to overeat. Unfortunately, most anti-depressants can also spike your appetite and make exercising less appealing. Once your doctor confirms that the medication is having unwanted side-effects, they might slowly take you off the anti-depressants and prescribe another drug.
Stress
Out of the many weird reasons for weight gain, stress plays a very direct part in slowing down your metabolism and contributing to fat deposits. When it’s the main culprit, you’re more likely to gain fat in the abdominal area. If you can’t manage your stress, you’re also more likely to overeat.
Read also: Beauty Problems Caused by Stress
Musculoskeletal Conditions
Osteoarthritis and other conditions that affect your muscles, spine, and joints can also contribute to sudden weight gain. Dealing with joint or leg pain will make you less likely to exercise as much as you should. Plantar fasciitis is another common cause for gradual weight gain. Try swimming and ask an orthopedic specialist for advice regarding the best way to use physical therapy to alleviate the symptoms of your condition.
Cushing’s Syndrome
One of the more rare conditions among weird reasons for weight gain, Cushing’s syndrome can cause a sudden gain in weight, along with other symptoms, that range from osteoporosis to high blood pressure. The condition causes the accumulation of fat especially in the abdominal region.
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