15 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight

Are you putting on weight despite your best efforts at eating well and staying fit? There are few things more frustrating than working hard and not seeing results. But don’t lose hope. There could be more culprits at play that are keeping you from achieving your weight loss goals.

Here are a few weight gain factors that you should pay attention to.

15 Reasons why you’re Not Losing Weight

Lack of Sleep –There is two issues at work with sleep and weight gain. The first is if you're up late, the odds are greater that you're doing some late-night snacking, which will increase your calorie intake. The other reason involves what's going on biochemically when you're sleep deprived. Changes in hormone levels increase hunger and appetite and also make you feel not as full after eating

Stress - When life's demands get too intense, our bodies go into survival mode: Cortisol, the "stress hormone," is secreted, which causes an increase in appetite. And then of course, we may reach for high-calorie comfort foods in times of stress as well. This combination is a perfect breeding ground for weight gain.

Not eating enough Fibre - Studies have shown the fibre creates a feeling of fullness and satisfaction when eating that can cause you to eat less. If you feel like you just can’t get full, try switching to a higher fibre diet.

Medication - Several prescription drugs have been associated with weight gain. The list includes anti-depressants, along with medications to treat migraines, seizures, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Work with your doctor to find a medication that treats your symptoms without disrupting side effects

Food allergies - Some food allergies, even mild ones, may be causing you to put on weight. As odd as it may sound, when you eat these foods you’re allergic to it can cause an addictive effect, making you crave the food even when you’re full.

Aging - Most people, as they age, feel their metabolisms beginning to slow down. If you’re not feeling that it’s as easy to lose weight as it used to be, take this into account and start working at a program that better reflects your new needs.

Hypothyroidism - If your thyroid (the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck) is not making enough thyroid hormone, you're probably feeling tired, weak, cold, and gaining weight. Without enough thyroid hormone, the metabolism slows, making weight gain more likely. Even a thyroid functioning at the lower end of the normal range might cause weight gain. Treating hypothyroidism with medication may reverse some of the weight gain.

Heartburn treatments - Those suffering from horrible acid reflux can often find relief in a heartburn medication. These drugs can sometimes cause slight weight gain though in some individuals they react differently, causing a weight loss

Water Retention - Most women are familiar with the bloating that can happen when their menstrual cycles are on the horizon, but there are times when this water weight gain can be more serious can caused by kidney or heart failure so it’s important to get unexplained water retention checked out.

Working too much - Being a workaholic can not only stress you out and lead to weight gain, but it’s more than likely requiring that you spend hours in front of a computer screen, not moving much. This inactivity can cause you to burn few calories than usual and put on a few pounds over time.

Relying on "low fat" foods - Don’t fall for the low fat packaging on many supposedly healthy foods. Many of these foods contain just as many calories as their high fat counterparts and aren’t really all that healthy at all.

Your Genes - While we are all responsible for our own choices, to some degree our ability to lose and maintain weight is determined by our genes. Some people will need to work harder to lose the pounds than others and will be fighting against their natural propensity for weight gain.

Not Eating Enough Essential Fats – Essential fatty acids, such as in flaxseed oil, help our bodies to manufacture hormones and maintain a good metabolism. Deficiencies in these can cause cravings for unhealthy foods and metabolic problems and over time, weight gain.

Drinking too many Fizzy Drinks - While it may help perk you up when you’re dragging after lunch, too much fizzy drink can help you to pack on the pounds. Containing loads of high fructose corn syrup not to mention calories, they can be a quiet culprit in weight gain, so if you can’t give it up at least try switching to diet.

Skipping meals - Skipping meals can slow down your metabolism and cause you to overeat when you do actually sit down to a meal. So space your meals throughout the day to avoid meal related weight gain.