OK, let’s look at what’s happening here. You started your diet plan… great! Better still, you’re sticking to it faithfully… a small miracle!
Then you jump on the scales and to your horror you’ve had a sudden weight gain. OMG!
The thing is, sometimes you need to break the existing habits that are leading you to sudden weight gain. Depending on how often you check your weight, gaining extra pounds can come as a shock.
OK, let’s look at ways you can get rid of sudden weight gain and set you up for success. If you’re not already working out with a regular exercise routine, then start one.
Exercise is one of the best ways to get rid of sudden weight gain and it’s also best for turning fat into muscle.
1. Gaining weight while exercising
If you’re already exercising but you’ve gained weight, then it could be your calorie intake is higher than what you’re burning in your workouts.
OK, SO WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?
You need to either change up your routine by choosing different exercises than you’d normally do.
Or you need to add to the duration or repetitions to what you’re doing.
2. Mindless Eating
We’re all guilty of sitting on the sofa watching something on Netflix and munching our way through hundreds (thousands even) of calories without even realizing it.
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This is known as Mindless eating and is one of the main causes of sudden weight gain.
According to Wikipedia the phrase ‘mindless eating‘ refers to the empirical finding that people make nearly 20 times more daily decisions about food than they are aware of. An average of around 200 each day.
As a result, we can be easily influenced by small cues around us such as:
- people
- packages
- dinnerware
- product names
- labels
- lights
- smells
- distractions
- containers
This can happen when you snack while you’re cooking. When you eat while you’re watching television.
When you’re just not paying attention to the kinds of food you’re putting in your mouth.
All these calories add up…
- chips
- crisps
- ice cream
- drinks
- pizza
and all comfort foods are packed with extra calories your body does NOT need.
OK, SO WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?
If you must munch while you’re doing other things then lookout for low calorie, unsweetened, low-fat varieties and this will help you to get rid of sudden weight loss.
If you’d like to find out more about Mindless Eating then you should take a look at this book by Prof Brian Wansink Ph.D.
3. Dietary habit changes
A change in your dietary habits can also cause sudden weight gain. You may find this if you’re used to eating breakfast every day, then you change your eating regime.
Your new diet may advise you to reduce your food intake first thing in the morning.
But many dieters find skipping breakfast makes them hungrier later in the day. When this happens, you end up snacking before lunch or overeating at lunch.
Also, not eating around the same time every day can lead to sudden weight gain because your body clock gets used to the time you’ve been eating.
Make sure you always have plenty of healthy snacks available in your handbag when you start to feel a ‘sugar rush’.
Unfortunately, this is when you have hunger pangs and go searching for something to tide you over until mealtime.
This is particularly true when your schedule changes or you lose track of time and eat later than normal.
OK, SO WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?
Avoid the urge to ‘impulse buy’ those sugar-loaded candies or a bar of chocolate (yes, we’ve all done it).
Make sure you always have healthy snacks or fruit whenever you’re feeling hungry. This is a great way to get rid of sudden weight gain, especially in-between meals.
3a. Carbs and Proteins
Forgetting to balance out your carbs with protein can cause you to gain weight. Your body needs protein and it also needs carbs.
But if you eat more carbs than protein, this can cause your metabolism to add on the pounds.
SO WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?
Don’t just ‘wing it’ when it comes to portion control. Buy a decent kitchen scale and make sure you follow the guidelines on your diet plan.
It’s a known fact, most of us tend to underestimate the size of our food portions rather than overestimating.
This kitchen scale is an Amazon bestseller and great value for money. Check out the reviews and price here…
4. Not drinking enough water
This is one of the main causes of sudden weight gain. When your body isn’t hydrated enough your metabolism slows down.
This, in turn, will impede your body’s ability to get rid of fat.
OK, SO WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?
If you want to get rid of sudden weight gain then look out for these signs you may be dehydrated.
For example, being thirsty (obvious) dry mouth and eyes, headaches, muscle cramps and fatigue.
You may be on your weight loss journey, but make sure you drink plenty of water and stay healthy.