Ever step on the scales and feel totally shocked that you gained weight?
You honestly thought you were watching what you ate, you are consciously parking further away from the mall door, picking up your pace as you went for walks after dinner and still, there it is on the scales looking up at you.
How you could possibly be gaining weight or at best not losing when you are trying so hard? You follow the weight loss directions from your favorite magazines. You are so careful and rarely eat dessert, diligently purchasing foods with labels that declare they are low fat. You almost never eat between meals but you are still gaining weight.
Why am I Gaining Weight for no Reason?
Reasons for Weight Gain
Because it takes only 3,500 additional calories to gain a pound. So that means that with only one hundred extra calories a day you can quickly gain 10 pounds within the year. And believe it or not, with just a bite here and a sample there it is easy to run up 100 calories (OR MORE!) without even being aware of it. Here is how easily those calories can sneak up on you:
Nibble1. The orange juice carton is almost empty, there couldn’t be more than 1/4 cup and orange juice is good for you right? And arent you always telling the kids not to put an empty carton back in the fridge? Calories: 26
Nibble 2. Only a small handful of granola cereal is left, again can’t be caught putting away an empty box! Calories: 64
Nibble 3. Upon arrival to work you pour yourself a cup of coffee but there is no milk in the refrigerator, no matter just add two teaspoons powdered cream. Calories: 20
*** You have just settled into your work day and already there are 100 extra calories! It is so easy to overlook how small things can add up.
So the day continues:
Nibble 4: Today is somebody’s birthday and your thoughtful boss brought in a cake. Oh just one small sliver. Before heading back to your desk, you look over longingly at the cake again. “Just another whisp, just to even it up since the last person cut it crooked.” Calories: 73
Nibble 5: Lunchtime! Oops, forgot to pack a healthy lunch, that’s okay just pick up a hamburger. You were conscientious and you asked for it without mayo but they gave it to you anyway. Oh well… Calories: 100
Nibble 6: Onion breath! Mmmm mints at the cash will fix that! Calories: 20
Nibble 7: Look, left over Halloween treats in a bowl at the reception desk. Oh what will one hurt! Calories: 25
Nibble 8: You get back to your desk and the taste of the candy is still fresh in your mouth. Hmmm, just one more! Calories: 25
Nibble 9: After work you and the gang head for the pub. But you aren’t having any high calorie drink, you have mineral water and just a handful of the trail mix that has been brought to the table, trail mix is good for you right?. Calories: 105
Nibble 10: Stop at the grocery store to pick up a couple of things for dinner. Look there is a sample table. Cheese on crackers. Calories: 55
Nibble 11: Trying out a new macaroni and cheese recipe, of course you have to taste it to make sure its good. Two small tasty tablespoons to ensure its seasoned right. Calories: 54
Nibble 12: Your new recipe tasted great and was a big hit there is hardly anything left to put away. Only a quarter cup left in the bottom of the pan is certainly not worth wrapping up and you don’t want to throw it out. – waste not! Calories: 108
Calories 675 for the day: if you did this every day you could gain over a pound a week!!!
How to stop gaining?
Add activity
Try and move your body every day. This will keep your beautiful body burning the fuel you are putting in to it. Maybe try to walk to work or stop at the gym on the way home from work. Try just 20 min and see how you feel.
At work grab a clipboard and head for the stairs like you have something important to do. Go up and down the flight a few times. Grab every opportunity you have. Take the stairs instead of the electric pedway. Challenge yourself and your friends to come up with new active ideas.
Eat more and don’t go hungry.
Losing weight should come as a result of a healthy meal plan and not highly restricted calories. Take the time to educate yourself on great energizing foods and eat frequently. You can get full and satisfied and do not have to consume a lot of calories.
So if you find yourself asking the question “Why am I gaining weight?” – one simple thing you can do right away is grab a notebook and a pen and write down everything you do eat, read all about it in How To Lose Weight Today. You’ll be amazed – and have a good place to start.
