Why won't the scale budge? Have I actually gained some pounds recently? What's with the weight gain?

Has there been a change in your diet? Too many weddings, dinner invitations or those late night ice cream escapades? If you are eating more calories than normal or skipping on exercise, you wouldn't be surprised if the numbers on the scale don't make you happy.

However, sometimes you are doing everything just the same and your weight reaches a plateau or even worse it goes up. It's time to check what may be wrong and why this is happening.

Weight Plateaus

Plateaus look good in geography, but when your weight hits one it can be frustrating. This usually happens when the initial weight ‘loss' consists of water, you may see a drastic drop in pounds. This can be encouraging and can feel good. After a while the weight loss is gradual and slower, this is the time you need to go the full 45- 60 minutes while exercising for effective fat burning to take place. Once you are close to your Ideal Body Weight (IBW) the weight may not budge and that is ok. From there on, focus on fitness and weight maintenance.

Lack of Sleep

Getting on late night calls or just lack of sleep could cause weight gain. Being sleep deprived causes changes in hormones which increase hunger and appetite. A study at the University of Bristol showed that people who consistently got less than five hours of sleep a night had significant differences in the hormones Leptin and Ghrelin as compared with people who slept an average of eight hours a night.
Leptin and Ghrelin are hunger hormones. Leptin is produced by fat cells and decreases appetite. Ghrelin, meanwhile, is produced by the stomach and increases appetite. Higher levels of ghrelin cause you to want to eat more. These hormonal changes increase hunger and appetite and also cause a decrease in satiety. Levels of Leptin (the appetite suppressor) are lower when you're thin and higher when you're fat. It is also possible that obese people build up a resistance to the appetite-suppressing effects of Leptin.
While staying awake late, late-night snacking may also be throwing your weight off balance, which means more calories.

Stress

Stress causes a surge in Cortisol which is the body's stress hormone. Stress also makes the body go into survival mode. Cortisol causes an increase in appetite. During this time the body craves comfort foods which are generally high in unhealthy calories from fat and sugar. A combination of stress hormones along with an increase in appetite sets the stage for weight gain. A study from the journal of Biological Psychiatry has shown that women burn fewer calories for a day after a stressful event.

Antidepressant, Steroids and Medications

Those taking antidepressants may experience weight gain as a side effect. Antipsychotic drugs used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are linked to weight gain. It could also happen that people can experience a gain in weight after taking these medications because the drug makes them feel better leading to a better appetite. Depression and mental health also play a role in a person's weight.

Steroids cause fluid retention and an increased appetite. The body also tends to store more fat on the face, abdomen or back of the neck while on steroid medications. Talk to your doctor while taking steroids if you experience these conditions. Never stop them abruptly as this may cause serious consequences.

Other prescription drugs used to treat diabetes, blood pressure and migraine can also cause weight gain. It would be better to ask your doctor to find alternate medications that have fewer side effects.

Hypothyroidism

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. If the gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone it leads to tiredness, weakness, drop in body temperature and weight gain. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, a drop in the hormone causes an increase in weight even if it functions at the lower end of the normal range. Treating hypothyroidism with medication may reverse some of the weight gain. This also includes lifestyle changes like modifying your eating habits and including physical activity on a regular basis. Those with hypothyroidism need to avoid cruciferous vegetables (like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli etc.) since they slow down the thyroid function. Soy and its products also need to be avoided as this interferes with thyroid hormone production.

The diet should focus on a limited portion of whole grains, lots of fresh vegetables (other than the ones to be avoided) , low calorie non starchy fruits and healthy protein. Exercising helps by boosting metabolism which can speed up an underactive gland.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a common hormonal problem affecting 5-10% of women of childbearing age. This results in the growth of many small cysts on the ovaries. Hormonal imbalances are common with an excess production of the male hormone androgens. This leads to irregular menstrual cycles, male patterned baldness, growth of facial hair and acne. Women with PCOS are also resistant to insulin which is the hormone that controls blood sugar leading to weight gain. The weight tends to collect around the abdomen, resulting in a greater risk for heart disease.

Quitting Smoking

When you kick the butt you may gain some weight. But that should not stop you from quitting, it's one of the best things you can do for your health. The weight gain is minimal (less than 5 kgs) and you will stop feeling hungry after a few weeks which will get you back on track once again

Weight gain can be just from water retention, it's not permanent weight or fat. This can occur due to certain medications. Once the treatment is over and your condition is under control, the puffiness from fluid retention may ease (as in the case of steroids). For the next few weeks follow a low sodium diet along with regular exercise. If your medication is long term, discuss with your doctor about switching to a safer treatment with lesser side effects. Some drugs cause a lower metabolism, make sure you boost your metabolism by eating small frequent meals, staying active and energetic through the day and not staying sedentary for long periods of time. Get moving!