Introduction
If you’re struggling to lose belly weight, you’re not alone. Many people find it difficult to shed those extra pounds around their midsection. But the good news is that there are steps you can take to get rid of that stubborn belly fat. Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones is key to losing belly weight. With the help of Eat This Not That, you can learn which foods to eat and which to avoid in order to get rid of that extra belly fat.
Why You’re Gaining Belly Weight and Cannot Lose it — Eat This Not That
If you’re struggling to lose belly weight, you’re not alone. Many people find it difficult to shed those extra pounds around their midsection. But why is it so hard to lose belly fat?
The truth is, there are many factors that can contribute to belly weight gain. From genetics to lifestyle choices, there are a variety of reasons why you may be having trouble losing that stubborn belly fat.
Genetics
Your genes can play a role in where your body stores fat. If you have a family history of carrying extra weight around the midsection, you may be more likely to do the same.
Hormones
Hormones can also affect where your body stores fat. For example, women tend to store more fat around their hips and thighs, while men tend to store more fat around their midsection. This is due to the hormones estrogen and testosterone.
Diet
Your diet can also play a role in belly weight gain. Eating too many processed foods, sugary snacks, and refined carbohydrates can lead to weight gain, especially around the midsection. Eating a diet high in unhealthy fats can also contribute to belly fat.
Lack of Exercise
If you’re not getting enough physical activity, it can be difficult to lose belly fat. Exercise helps to burn calories and build muscle, which can help you lose weight and tone your midsection.
Stress
Stress can also contribute to belly weight gain. When you’re stressed, your body releases the hormone cortisol, which can lead to increased appetite and cravings for unhealthy foods. This can lead to weight gain, especially around the midsection.
Eat This Not That
If you’re struggling to lose belly weight, it’s important to make healthy lifestyle changes. Eating a balanced diet that is low in processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats can help you lose weight and keep it off. Additionally, getting regular physical activity and managing stress can help you reach your weight loss goals.
If you’ve noticed unexplained weight gain, but your eating habits and physical activity level hasn’t changed, there could be an underlying medical reason for putting on extra pounds. There’s several conditions that can cause sudden weight gain and getting to the bottom of it is vital for your overall health. “While there is no specific definition for what is considered rapid weight gain, it shouldn’t be ignored, according to Sharon Orrange, MD, an internal medicine physician at Keck Medicine of USC and clinical associate professor of medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “Either the patient considers it noticeable enough to come in for a visit, or their body mass index measured during our visit has jumped from the normal weight to overweight category, or from the overweight to obese category,” she explains. “Both deserve a discussion and intervention.” Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Thomas Gut, D.O. Associate Chair of Medicine at Staten Island University Hospital tells us, “Medical conditions like slow thyroid can make you gain weight. Certain hormonal disorders can result in reduction of basal metabolism which can contribute to increases in weight over time.”
Keck Medicine of USC states, “If you can’t otherwise account for your weight gain, your doctor may want to test you for certain endocrine disorders. The endocrine system, which includes adrenal glands, thyroid and ovaries, helps regulate hormones that control several functions in the body. “These are rarely an explanation for weight gain but worth a look,” Orrange says. “Irregular periods, acne and weight gain in women may indicate polycystic ovary syndrome, and fatigue may suggest an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).”
According to Dr. Gut, “Some medications for diabetes, depression or even seizure disorders can result in unintended weight gain via many different mechanisms. It’s often possible for your doctor to switch you to a different medication without the weight gain effect.”
Keck Medicine of USC says, “Depression is also associated with changes in appetite and weight gain. In addition, “people with seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, may also gain weight,” Orrange explains, “but treating SAD may help them avoid it.”
The Mayo Clinic states, “Quitting smoking is often associated with weight gain. And for some, it can lead to enough weight gain to qualify as obesity. Often, this happens as people use food to cope with smoking withdrawal. In the long run, however, quitting smoking is still a greater benefit to your health than continuing to smoke. Your doctor can help you prevent weight gain after quitting smoking.”
The Mayo Clinic explains, “Many external factors that affect mood and well-being may contribute to obesity. People often seek more high-calorie food when experiencing stressful situations.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Not getting enough sleep or getting too much sleep can cause changes in hormones that increase appetite. You may also crave foods high in calories and carbohydrates, which can contribute to weight gain.”
The North American Menopause Society states, “Many women gain weight during the menopause transition. This weight gain is sometimes blamed on menopause or on treatment for conditions related to menopause, including hormone therapy. However, there is no scientific evidence that menopause or hormone therapy is responsible for midlife weight gain.
Age and lifestyle are the main culprits. Aging and lifestyle seem to be the primary culprits behind weight gain in women around the time of menopause. Aging is associated with slowing of the metabolism. Lean body mass decreases with age while body fat accumulates throughout adulthood. The bottom line: you have to “run to stay in place.”
Heather Newgen