MD Longevity realizes that this shift slows their metabolism, making it easier to gain weight.

In addition, some people become less physically active as they get older, increasing the risk of weight gain. Dr. Ann J. Peters says, the good news is that weight gain can be prevented by choosing a lifestyle that includes good eating habits and daily physical activity. By avoiding weight gain, you avoid higher risks of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and some forms of cancer.

Weight gain can be a very frustrating part of everyday life, especially if the gain is unwarranted, or not understood.  Because there are so many different factors that can attribute to weight gain, one must first search for these reasons to understand how to confront the issues that have caused the weight gain in the first place.

Once the issues have been identified, even if they are medical in nature, there may be some things that you can do to remedy the weight gain, or at the very least slow the process. The process can be frustrating and unforgiving, but in the end, reaping the benefits of weight loss and a healthy lifestyle can help you understand your body in the future.  There are many causes of unexplained weight gain, and simple steps can be taken in remedying the factors that cause the gain as well as gaining the know-how to rid your body of the weight and keep it off for years to come.

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Identify the cause of your weight gain

Everyone’s body is different in many ways.  Genetic factors make up our structure, body shape, and even how we gain, lose and distribute weight on our bodies.  If you have recently gained weight, you may be wondering why.  Dr. Ann Peters shows weight gain can be caused by a multitude of factors.  Some individuals lead a sedentary lifestyle without much exercise or physical activity.  These people are prone to gaining weight if an increase in caloric intake is present without a counterbalance such as an exercise to increase the metabolism.  Weight gain can be a result of significant changes to the hormone structure of the body, such in cases as pregnancy and menopause.  Weight gain can also be a result of medical issues and medications.  Medical issues and certain medications can cause the body to retain a significant amount of water retention in the tissue.  If you experience unexplained weight gain that is major and rapid, it is wise to consult with your medical doctor, for this may be a sign of a serious medical condition or side effect from the medication that you are currently taking.  In some cases, medication is warranted in order to decrease water retention and maintain a healthy weight.

Healthy Eating

Healthy eating is a very big part of maintaining and reducing weight.  There are several factors to consider when choosing items to eat in your everyday life and certain results food can have on your weight and overall health.  Not everyone understands the roles of things like caloric intake, types of fats, and micronutrients have on the body.  However, taking a small amount of time to study and understand the makeup of food could be essential to reducing unexplained weight gain and your overall health.  If your goal is to prevent weight gain, then you’ll want to choose foods that supply you with the appropriate number of calories to maintain your weight. This number varies from person to person. It depends on many factors, including your height, weight, age, sex, and activity level.  Learning to maintain a balance of these factors can lead to a healthy lifestyle and weight management.

Exercise

Dr. Ann Peters M.D. shows in addition to a healthy eating plan, an active lifestyle will help you maintain your weight and prevent unexplained weight gain. By choosing to add physical activity to your day, you will increase the number of calories your body burns. This makes it more likely for you to maintain your weight. Although physical activity is an integral part of weight management, it is also a vital part of health in general. Regular physical activity can reduce your risk for many chronic diseases and it can help keep your body healthy and strong. Exercise is also known to increase your serotonin levels, allowing us to feel more elated, happy, and overall healthy.  Serotonin is a large factor of mood elevation, which can help to maintain and increase a physical lifestyle. Its levels are influenced by external factors, such as sunlight, diet, and exercise.

Understanding the triggers

Triggers are simply things that have the mind dismiss the task.  For weight gain, triggers can be something as small as ice cream or as large as stress, emotional changes, or even lack of sleep. Sometimes emotions such as stress, grief, or boredom can lead you into the kitchen where your food choices can be unhealthy.  This can also cause you to not exercise.  When you are stuck in an emotional or traumatic rut, you may decide to stop exercising without realizing that it might be the one thing that can actually get you out of the rut in the first place. The most important thing to do when you fall victim to triggers is to understand and identify them and then move forward which will stop any weight gain in its tracks.  Punishing yourself for falling off the weight-loss wagon will only make the struggle worse. The moment you forgive yourself is the moment you can start taking steps to improve your relationship with food, weight gain, and health.