Haven't Changed Anything in Your Nutrition But Getting Fatter?
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 more to the story than just what you're eating.
A lot of this comes down to your metabolic rate, which is affected by 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 you may be gaining weight even though you're eating the same.
Things like:
1. Aging;
2. Hormones;
3. Sleep;
4. Stress.
Let's talk about Aging:
Funny things happen the older we get. People commonly experience lower energy levels, more digestive discomfort, weight gain, and aches and pains.
Aging can result in hormonal changes for both men and women. And these can contribute to the loss of some lean muscle mass and increases and changes in fat storage in our bodies.
The good thing is that this is very common and not your fault one bit.
Hormone
Your thyroid is the master controller of your metabolism and can be a massive contributor to your weight gain. Several things can affect it and throw it off course.
Your metabolism slows down when your thyroid gets off course and produces fewer hormones. 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. Oh, and try the thyroid-friendly recipe I created for you at the end of this post.
Sleep
There is plenty of research that shows sleep's influence on your metabolic rate.
And as we age, it can become harder and harder to get a good night's sleep.
The 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 thought you could 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.
Stress
It seems to be everywhere! Many things can cause stress responses in your body.
And you know that stress hormones will not help you sustain healthy habits or maintain a healthy weight, right?
While you can't necessarily change your stress, 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 coloring books that are all the rage now?
Conclusion
Many factors can affect your weight, even if you're eating the same way you always have. Aging, hormones, stress, and sleep are interconnected 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
Dressing:
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 to the sushi bowls.
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Or go to my web page at: https://www.symplicitywellness
References:
https://authoritynutrition.com/lose-weight-in-menopause/
http://www.precisionnutrition.com/sleep-stress-and-fat-loss
