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 it is never too late to make a change. You can counterbalance this issue with weight training. To make the most of your time hire a trainer to get set up on the right training program for you, your age and body.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a gym near you and haven’t worked out in a while, start walking!! It is an underrated exercise that does the body good!! Plus, it will help bring down your stress levels…
Who doesn’t love the sun on their face and fresh air!
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.
Making a major change in what you eat and how you eat has been effective for a lot of women as they age. Cutting out the obvious sugars and processed foods and working to cut back on inflammatory foods will help your body come back into balance.
Pro Tip: Talk with your doctor about having your hormones tested. Oh, and try the thyroid-friendly recipe that I created for you at the end of this post.
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 and an increase of stress. Sleep is as important as what you eat and when. If your stress is high or your body is in a Maladaptive Stress response, getting and staying asleep can be difficult.
Pro Tip: The first place to start is by implementing a calming before bedtime routine. Turn the digital off an hour before bed, maintain a “No Food” 4 hours before bedtime and use a Meditation app to help you fall asleep.
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.
Recipe (Thyroid friendly iodine): Seaweed Sushi Bowl
Serves 2
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
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.