One of the main reasons for weight gain is regularly consuming more calories than your daily requirement. But sometimes weight gain has nothing to do with what you are eating, how much you are eating, and how much you are working out. There are some other factors also which can add extra pounds in your ideal weight. In this article, we will tell you some hidden and surprising reasons for gaining weight.

Reasons You are Gaining Weight

1. Not enough sleep: if you are not sleeping enough, it can not only leave you tired for the next day but can also add on a few pounds. Though the researchers are still looking at the exact connection between lack of sleep and weight gain but some of the reasons may be:

2. When you stay awake for longer, you eat more. Sleeping less means you have a few more hours in your day, so you consume more calories. Biochemical changes in the body because of sleep deprivation can make you hungrier. Even after eating enough, you do not feel full. Sleeping less can also interfere with your hormone levels and metabolic regulation. When you do not get enough sleep, your body starts to secrete the hunger hormone ghrelin, which increases appetite. 

3. Expert advice: Set a regular sleep schedule. Make a habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. It will take your body to get into the regular circadian cycle. To get better sleep, turn off electronic devices two hours before bedtime. Avoid eating close to bedtime. If you have trouble falling asleep, limit your caffeine intake.

4.  You are stressed: When you are stressed, your body starts to secrete the stress hormone cortisol, which increases appetite. People usually have a tendency to eat comfort food such as chocolate, wafers, and other high-calorie snacks at times of stress, which is a perfect opportunity for weight gain. Stress hormone cortisol protects your body from tense events. In the short run, a high level of cortisol can be good for your body, but in the long run, it can lead to weight gain. At the time of chronic stress, your body starts to think that it needs to hold on to fat and calories because you almost go into survival mode.

5. Expert advice: Deep breathing and meditation can help you in relieving stress. Patients who follow these techniques consistently can lose weight. Following healthy lifestyle habits such as regular exercise and workouts can also help in managing stress. 

6. You are depressed: Many antidepressant medications cause weight gain, so if you are depressed and taking medication to deal with it, you might gain a few pounds. Though antidepressants cause weight gain, you should not stop taking them on your own. If weight gain is troubling you, discuss it with your doctors and ask to change the treatment plan. It is not like depression medication alone causes weight gain depression on its own can also cause weight gain. It is found that people who feel sad and lonely gain weight more quickly than happy people. The tendency to eat high fat and high-calorie food at times of depression might be a cause of weight gain. 

7. Expert advice: If antidepressants are the culprit, you can slowly reduce the doses of medications but only after consulting with the doctor. Regular exercise, workouts, and meditation can also help in dealing with depression. You can also seek out some workout groups, which is a great way to increase social support. 

8. You are taking medication: Some medicines such as prednisone, antipsychotic drugs, drugs that are used to manage diabetes, hypertension, seizures, and migraines are well-known causes of weight gain. They cause weight gain because of fluid retention, increased appetite, and disturbed metabolism. Weight gain because of these medications depends on the dose of the drug and the period it is taken for.

9. Expert advice: Talk to your doctor about changing the medication, which has fewer side effects. You have digestive issues: Slow bowel movement may also cause weight gain. If your bowel movements are not regular low fiber intake or dehydration medications can be the reason. The mix of gut bacteria can also cause weight gain, especially when you do not have a balance of good and bad bacteria.

10. Expert advice: If you have constipation, then probiotics can help your digestive tract work properly. Stay hydrated and include lots of fiber in your diet to improve digestion. If you still have digestive issues consult with your doctor. You are missing certain nutrients: Deficiency of iron, vitamin D, or magnesium can alter your metabolism and cause weight gain.

11. Expert advice: Include milk, spinach, nuts, and almonds in your diet. You can also take iron and vitamin D supplements. These are some hidden and surprising reasons for gaining weight. If you are doing everything right and still gaining weight check is any of the above reason is affecting your weight. Please share your thoughts in the comment section and let us know about your experience.