GAINING WEIGHT OVERNIGHT???

 

WHY YOU GAIN WEIGHT OVERNIGHT???

Have you ever woken up to find an extra kilo on the scale? So you were fine the previous day but the next morning  as you step on the scale ,you’re up five pounds. WTF. Is overnight weight gain a thing?

If you have ever found yourself asking this question, you’re not alone. It’s absolutely possible to gain one to two kgs overnight! However, for anyone trying to lose weight seeing the number increasing on the scale, can be frustrating, disheartening, and may leave you wondering, what you may be doing wrong?

Understand that one of a number of things the night before could be why the scale showed a sudden fluctuation.

Not only will reflecting on the reasons help you decode the factors that caused the weight gain, but it will also be easier for you to reverse it.

Is it common to gain weight overnight?

It is common to see a fluctuation of one or two kgs while working hard to lose weight. The good news is that it can be tackled by learning about the causes of this kind of fluctuation and following healthy practices consistently  but the unhealthy eating pattern that produced that weight gain would have to continue for it to last. The amount you can gain in a day is relatively small, and your body generally prefers maintaining it. So you’re less likely to see a true, lasting effect on the scale if you go back to eating well.

Some of the common causes of overnight weight gain are:

1. CRASH DIETING

A crash diet is the opposite of a healthy diet. Many of those looking to lose weight wish to do so quickly and want instantaneous results. Transitioning from a very low calorie and low carbohydrate diet to a low calorie and moderate carbohydrate diet often leads to a weight gain of 1-2 kgs in a matter of one day. Crash diets deliver short-term results. Because the dieter is cutting their calories so low and making such big changes to what they eat, their body will certainly lose weight. Crash dieting can have some positive outcomes, for example, lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels but they can also have some potentially harmful effects on the heart as a result of increased heart fat levels which can occur. A healthy diet promotes strength in a body, but crash dieting can bring many risks to the body. High metabolism is important when losing weight, but crash dieting can make the metabolic rate lower. This is due to muscle breakdown being much greater with crash dieting. Less muscle means a lower metabolic rate, which can end in more weight gain.

2. STRESS

Stress can significantly impact your ability to maintain a healthy weight. We all get stressed some more than others, and some manage it differently to others. But at some point, we’ve all been stressed about something but stress over a longer time period can cause cortisol to increase and this hormone will work in tandem with water and this cause fluid retention and water weight. In addition to the hormonal changes related to stress, stress can also drive you to engage in the unhealthy behaviors. When you're stressed out, healthy behaviors likely eating properly and exercising regularly can easily fall by the wayside. Maintaining a schedule and/or routine can help make these healthy behaviors a habit and combat stress-related weight changes. 

3. LACK OF SLEEP

Poor sleep can negatively impact all facets of our life but our weight is one area that we might not realize is being affected. Yet it’s well established that lack of sleep is a risk factor for weight gain and obesity. While sleep won’t help you lose weight, not getting enough of it will probably make you gain weight. We all sleep badly from time to time and we can all relate to the feelings of fatigue that are part and parcel of a poor night’s sleep. Poor sleep can cause weight gain, weight gain can cause your sleep quality to decrease even further. Poor sleep can also increase your appetite also. So focus on getting quantity sleep about 7-8 hours a night.

4. MEDICATION

Some medicines can cause certain people to put on weight. This can be a good thing if you are underweight to start with. If you are at a normal weight, then gaining a few pounds also might not be a big deal. But, if you are already overweight, weight gain might be more of a problem. Medicine-related weight gain is not uncommon, especially with certain types of medicines. For example, many steroids can cause weight gain. So can medicines that treat mental health problems, such as depression. Men and women of all ages can have  medicine-related weight gain. Some medications also lead to water retention, induce lethargy, or can cause an increase in appetite all of which contribute to weight fluctuations. If you are concerned that a medicine is causing you to gain weight, make an appointment to talk with your provider. Never stop taking a medicine without talking with your healthcare provider first.

5. ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Excessive alcohol consumption leads to increased calorie intake, especially when consumed with sugary mixers. When you drink alcohol, particularly large amounts or excessively, it can affect many parts of your body and your life. Alcohol consumption dehydrates the body and compels it to hold on to water leading to water retention.

First, alcohol can cause weight gain simply because it has calories. Not only does the actual alcohol have calories, but additives and mixers that are included with many alcoholic beverages can be packed with calories. Drinking alcohol - particularly in excessive amounts - has many other serious health risks beyond possible weight gain, including high blood pressure, insulin resistance, heart disease, stroke, liver disease and some cancers. 

Alcohol is an appetite stimulant, so you may be more likely to eat more and also make poorer food choices. Not only are you likely to feel hungrier if you’re drinking, but your inhibitions will be lowered, so you’re not going to be thinking about choosing healthy foods.

6. INTENSE WORKOUT

Gaining weight while working out is totally normal. A new exercise regimen puts stress on your muscle fibers. This causes small micro tears, also known as micro trauma, and some inflammation. Those two conditions in your muscle fibers are the reason you may gain some weight. When you start working out, your body starts burning more calories and when you burn more calories, your body naturally wants to compensate by eating more calories to make up for what you’re burning which ultimately lead to weight gain. Exercise should be a positive experience that brings you increased health and vitality. Taking certain steps can help you nip the problem in the bud so you can more effectively reach your health and fitness goals.

Do check out the other blogs.

1.LET'S TALK ABOUT HEALTH

2.LET'S TALK ABOUT FITNESS

3. LET'S TALK ABOUT DIET

4.HAPPY HAPPY HEALTHY PEOPLE

CHECK THESE BLOGS ON  MEDIUM ALSO.

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