Top 10 Reasons for Weight Gain - From the Obvious to the Unexpected

The science behind losing excess fat is simple: eat fewer calories, and burn more energy through physical activity. Sometimes these rules aren't enough to make the difference. Listed below are common factors that, when understood, can lead you on the path to weight loss.

1) Stress

Stress happens to be a destructive force not just in terms of a person's mental health but their physical wellbeing also. Scientists researching the impact of stress have discovered that women who are the most stressed put on the most weight. Food serves as only a temporary fix; it does not deal with the underlying issue. Addressing why you have stress in your life can reduce the trigger for eating.

2) Lack of sleep

Lack of sleep causes the body physiological stress, raises levels of the hormone ghrelin, which makes you feel hungry. To avoid sleep deprivation and resist the urge to overeat, try adding 15 minutes each night to your standard eight hours.

3) Skipping breakfast

Missing the most important meal of the day could turn out to be your biggest mistake when attempting to shape up. This often results in overeating in the evening.

4) Eating faster

It's a known fact that it takes the brain up to 20 minutes to realise you are full after eating. So it makes sense that if you finish a meal in half your usual time you will still have space for seconds even though you don't need it. Chewing properly and taking your time between courses are practical, well-mannered ways of fighting back against rapid calorie consumption-induced weight gain.

5) Yo-yo diets

It's a fact, they never work. Substitute Hollywood's latest eating craze for a sensible balanced diet.

6) Holidays

It's the one time of year you need to be looking your best, and by best we mean carrying as few excess pounds as possible. Ironically holidays make you susceptible to weight gain. Eating out at restaurants usually invites unnecessarily large portions, accompanied by alcohol, which also has its fair share of calories. Consuming calories in such abundance over a fixed period is a reliable way to undo all that hard work you put into the pre-holiday weight loss regimen.

7) Low fat foods

Always read the label when it comes to choosing foods at supermarkets. Just because a meal may claim to be low in fat doesn't mean it will be kind to your waistline. Some low-fat foods contain high levels of sweeteners or sugar, which contain lots of calories, and therefore contribute to weight gain.

8) Television

We can all be forgiven for giving up a stint in the gym because there's something decent on television. The real crime here is to nibble on energy-dense foods, such as crisps and chocolate and not burn off the calories. Choosing TV and sweets over physical activity on a frequent basis will only widen the gap between you and your weight loss goal. Become active again, restore your drive, do away with the remote.

9) Portion sizes

Research shows that when we are given a larger portion than what we are used to, we'll eat it regardless. The rule of thumb here, albeit a testing one, is only eat what you need to not what's in front of you. By cooking your own meals at home or asking for meals in separate serving dishes you can actively control how much calories you put away.

10) Medical condition

If you have been asked to take prescription steroids, antidepressants such as amytriptiline, anti-epilepsy drugs or antipsychotic drugs your doctor may have warned you that weight gain is a possible side effect. Only use the medication for as long as you need to.