5 Reasons you may be gaining weight

Are you gaining weight but can’t understand why?
Here are 5 factors that could be contributing to your weight gain.

 

Crash dieting

Crash dieting encourages the body to hold onto stored fat as it believes it is being starved and will need all the resources it has in order to survive. Although, those who do crash diet may notice weight loss very quickly, this weight loss is usually due to the loss of fluids and lean muscle mass and when you return to old eating habits again your metabolism could have slowed down.

 

Eating ‘healthy’ processed foods

Even those ready meals packed fully of veggies. Modern food processing often means energy-dense foods that are generally high in refined sugars and trans-fats but low in fibre and nutrients. Fibre ensures healthy bowel movements to keep you feeling lighter, may help bind to and remove waste products and toxins and helps to sustain hunger for longer. Reports say we used to consume over 100g of fibre per day in Palaeolithic times, compared to between 10 and 20g today.

 

Your mind is elsewhere and not on your plate

Optimal digestive function can ensure the breakdown and absorption of adequate levels of nutrients to satisfy the body’s requirements and prevent cravings shortly after you’ve eaten. Cooking meals from scratch, sitting away from technology, such as the telly or your mobile phone, in a relaxed environment where you can concentrate on your food, chewing each mouthful 30 times, taking some cider vinegar or a live bacteria supplement before a meal, are all natural ways to optimise digestion enzyme production.

 

Eating breakfast too early

Research is indicating that having a longer overnight fast of 12-16 hours appears to promote weight loss and may improve metabolic health.1 Even though hunger is increased at meal times, caloric intake is often seen to be similar.1 This may mean bringing your evening meal forward to 6pm and your breakfast back to 10am. Lepicol Lighter is a high fibre product containing 7 strains of live bacteria and chromium. Taken before meals glucomannan, a plant fibre which contributes to weight loss, may help to sustain hunger for longer. Chromium is an essential mineral that helps to maintain normal blood glucose levels and potentially prevent symptoms of blood sugar imbalance.

 

Negativity

Having a negative outlook about your weight and your motivation to lose weight. Try changing to a positive motivation like: 'I want to enjoy living life to the full in a healthy body and be content with the way I look'. This encourages you to focus on achieving success, rather than running away from failure.

References

  1. Patterson RE, Sears DD. Metabolic Effects of Intermittent Fasting. Annu Rev Nutr 2017;37:371-393.