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Reasons Why You Can't Lose Weight
7 Causes of Weight Gain You Can’t Control
If your scale doesn’t reflect your healthiest lifestyle efforts, there could be a hidden reason you’re gaining. Read on to see if the culprit of your unnecessary pounds is hidden in your health report
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What's Holding Your Weight Back?
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1
You’re Depressed
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2
You’re Taking The Wrong Rx
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3
Your Gut Is Slow
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4
Your Body Doesn’t Have Enough Of Certain Nutrients
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5
You’re Getting Older
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6
You Have Plantar Fasciitis
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7
You Have Cushing’s Syndrome
You’re Depressed
Many anti-depressant medications cause weight gain—so if you’re depressed and taking pills for it, expect to see a bump in weight between 5 and 15 pounds, with continued gradual accumulation over the years, says Dr. Hedaya, who is also the founder of the National Center for Whole Psychiatry in Chevy Chase, MD.
If you’re not taking pills, there’s evidence that feelings of depression can correlate to weight gain. One 2010 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that people who feel sad and lonely gain weight more quickly than those who report fewer depression-related symptoms. “They may be eating more high-fat, high-calorie comfort foods,” says Belinda Needham, PhD, assistant professor in the department of sociology at UAB and the lead author of the study. “Or they may have [cut back their] physical activity.” (Search: Low-cal comfort foods)
Fix It: “If I see patients who are taking anti-depressants and that could be the culprit of their weight gain, I may wean them slowly off of the drug,” says Dominique Fradin-Read, MD, MPH, assistant clinical professor at the Loma Linda School of Medicine in California. “I may then put them on Wellbutrin instead, which actually helps with weight loss.” If your meds are not to blame, seek out some workout buddies or a support group. “Attending meetings, like Weight Watchers, or working out with a group of friends is a great way to increase social support,” Dr. Needham says, “which can help depression.”
Do You Live in a Healthy City?
If you’re not taking pills, there’s evidence that feelings of depression can correlate to weight gain. One 2010 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that people who feel sad and lonely gain weight more quickly than those who report fewer depression-related symptoms. “They may be eating more high-fat, high-calorie comfort foods,” says Belinda Needham, PhD, assistant professor in the department of sociology at UAB and the lead author of the study. “Or they may have [cut back their] physical activity.” (Search: Low-cal comfort foods)
Fix It: “If I see patients who are taking anti-depressants and that could be the culprit of their weight gain, I may wean them slowly off of the drug,” says Dominique Fradin-Read, MD, MPH, assistant clinical professor at the Loma Linda School of Medicine in California. “I may then put them on Wellbutrin instead, which actually helps with weight loss.” If your meds are not to blame, seek out some workout buddies or a support group. “Attending meetings, like Weight Watchers, or working out with a group of friends is a great way to increase social support,” Dr. Needham says, “which can help depression.”
Do You Live in a Healthy City?
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