5 Suprising Reasons You're Gaining Weight..

I recently stumbled upon an article on WebMD that included "5 Reasons You're Gaining Weight" (click the title to go to the article).  I will list the 5 reasons here with a sentence or two to summarize that reason.

1. You Might Be Gaining Weight Because of Lack of Sleep

When you're tired, you also don't handle stress as well, so you may reach for food as a coping mechanism. Further, you may be taking in extra calories from late-night snacking.

2. You May Be Gaining Weight Because of Stress

We live in a society that demands we do more, be more, and achieve more. Stress moves us forward and helps cope with life's demands, but it also affects our mood and emotions.

3. You May Be Gaining Weight Because of Medications

Some prescription drugs used to treat depression, mood disorders, seizures, migraines, blood pressure, and diabetes can cause weight gain, from a modest amount to as much as 10 pounds per month.

4. You May Be Gaining Weight Because of a Medical Condition

The most common medical condition that causes weight gain is hypothyroidism.  A deficiency of thyroid hormone can decrease metabolism, causing appetite loss and weight gain.

5. You May Be Gaining Weight Because of Menopause

The key to avoiding this extra belly fat is to maintain and increase the amount of lean body mass, which will, in turn, increase your metabolism or calorie burn rate.