You’re hitting the gym, counting those pesky calories, and doing everything right, but that trusty scale isn’t budging. If this sounds familiar, welcome to the club.
But before you blame it on that one time you couldn’t resist the chocolate cake (we get it, it’s chocolate), you might want to consider that it’s not your lack of willpower — it’s probably your health. Shocking, right? So, here are 12 medical conditions that might be messing with your weight loss efforts.
Hypothyroidism
This condition is like that lazy coworker who never pulls their weight in group projects. The thyroid gland is supposed to be the all-star player, producing hormones that keep your metabolism on its toes. But when it decides to slack off, stimulating too little thyroid hormone – a condition cheekily called hypothyroidism – it’s like a sudden productivity drop in your body’s energy department.
Your cells struggle to use and store energy; instead of burning it off, you might store it as extra padding. So, if you’re feeling tired and getting nowhere with your weight loss, give your thyroid a performance review.
PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects women of reproductive age and can affect your waistline. Put simply, when the body produces too much of the male hormone testosterone, it can interfere with estrogen levels — leading to irregular periods, acne, and unwanted hair growth.
It can also lead to insulin resistance, a condition in which your cells don’t respond to the hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. This can lead to unwanted weight gain around your midsection — not ideal.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that affects how your body’s cells use and store energy. When the body can’t convert glucose into energy, it starts to build up in the bloodstream — which can lead to weight gain, especially around the midsection.
The good news is that with the proper treatment, you can get back on track without exercise or dieting — though they still help. But at the end of the day, it’s important to remember that if you think your weight is being affected by diabetes, talk to a doctor and get checked out — they’ll be able to give you the advice and support you need.
Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s Syndrome occurs when your body produces too much cortisol, a hormone that helps regulate metabolism and weight. When you’re chronically stressed, your body pumps out too much cortisol, increasing fat storage around the midsection.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is when a person’s breathing stops and starts during sleep, reducing the amount of oxygen in the body. This can interfere with your metabolism — leading to weight gain, especially around the midsection.
Depression
We all know that our eating habits tend to take a hit when we’re feeling down. But if you’ve been feeling more than just your run-of-the-mill blues, it might be worth considering depression as a cause of weight gain. People who suffer from major depressive disorder often turn to food for comfort — leading to an increase in calories and weight gain.
Heart Failure
When your heart is too weak to pump enough blood throughout the body, it can lead to weight gain. When the heart muscle becomes weaker, fluid build—up leads to swelling around the midsection and an increase in weight. So, if you’ve noticed changes in your body that seem out of character, talk to your doctor.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is when your kidneys can’t filter out waste and regulate fluid levels in the body. This leads to an increase in water retention, especially around the midsection — leading to weight gain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that can affect any joint in the body — including the joints around the midsection. When inflammation sets in, it can lead to weight gain, fatigue, and pain.
Certain Medications
Some medications can interfere with your metabolism — leading to weight gain. Suppose you’re suddenly packing on the pounds despite sticking to a healthy diet and exercise plan. In that case, it might be worth talking to your doctor about your medications and whether they could contribute to your weight gain.
Stress
We all know that too much stress can wreak havoc on our bodies — but did you know it can also affect your waistline? Chronic stress increases the production of cortisol, a hormone that helps regulate metabolism. When you produce too much cortisol, it increases fat storage — often around the midsection.
Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalances can affect your body in several ways — one of them being weight gain. When the hormones that regulate metabolism and hunger, like insulin and leptin, are out of balance, it can lead to increased fat storage.
Aside from these conditions, several other factors can contribute to weight gain, like diet, lifestyle choices, or genetics. So if you’re feeling like no matter what you do, you can’t shift those extra pounds, it might be worth chatting to a doctor about the potential underlying causes. They’ll be able to give you advice and support on how to get back on track — and help keep your weight where it needs to be.
15 Healthy Habits That Can Help You Achieve a Flat Stomach
Who doesn’t want a flat stomach? It’s like chasing after a mystical unicorn! But fear not, my friend, with dedication and consistency in your diet and exercise, you can tame that unicorn and achieve a toned, flat stomach!
15 Healthy Habits That Can Help You Achieve a Flat Stomach
The 5 Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven of 2023
Do you love fried food but hate the unhealthy consequences? If so, an air fryer toaster oven may be the perfect appliance for you!
The 5 Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven of 2023
15 Stupid and Unhealthy Foods Americans Should Stop Eating (and Why)
In today’s fast-paced society, convenience often trumps health regarding food choices. However, many foods Americans regularly consume contribute to weight gain and pose serious health threats.
15 Stupid and Unhealthy Foods Americans Should Stop Eating (and Why)
15 Food Trends Nutritionists Wish You Would Forget About
It seems like every day, there’s a new food trend that people are trying out in order to get healthier. Keeping up with the latest trends can be hard, from veganism and keto diets to juicing and intermittent fasting. But just because something is trendy doesn’t necessarily mean it’s healthy or beneficial for you.
15 Food Trends Nutritionists Wish You Would Forget About
20 Common Health Myths That Are Ruining Your Well-being
We all want to be healthy and happy, but there are many misconceptions about health that could be keeping us from achieving our goals. These 20 common health myths are ruining your well-being.
20 Common Health Myths That Are Ruining Your Well-being
