In spite of sticking to the right regimen of exercise and a balanced diet, some women find they continue to gain weight despite all efforts to lose weight. According to weight loss Vancouver clinic, this could be the result of some other factors at play. Understanding these aspects is important so you know what to do next to get your weight loss plan on track.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in the number of women with a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. Although the definite cause is unknown, the effects of this condition are well-documented – problems with ovulation that leads to irregular periods and infertility, excess production of male hormones that causes excess hair growth on the face and body along with acne, and insulin resistance that causes unexplained gaining of weight which could result in type 2 diabetes. If you suffer from these symptoms, it is best to consult your gynecologist who will then have your sex hormone levels assessed for imbalance. Although medication may be required to overcome the insulin resistance, lifestyle changes play a major role in overcoming this problem.
The hormones produced by the thyroid gland have a major role to play in body metabolism and they largely determine how much fuel your body burns. A person with hypothyroidism does not have enough of these hormones and therefore, it can cause problems with your body’s utilization of carbohydrates and fats, leading to uncontrolled weight gain. Most women with this condition will notice they have heavy periods, dry skin, hair loss, constant feeling of fatigue along with pain in the joints and muscles and sometimes, even an unexplained feeling of depression. By performing a test of the levels of the thyroid hormones – T-3, T-4 and TSH – your doctor will know if there is any imbalance and give you the right medication.
Certain drugs have the undesirable side effect of causing weight gain. This is most commonly observed with some steroids, anti-depressants and certain pills for birth control that cause the body to retain more water, leading to weight gain. If you find your weight increasing after starting some new medication, speak to your doctor about substituting it with an alternative that does not have this effect.
Food intolerances arise because your body lacks the enzymes necessary to digest particular foods. As a result, eating those foods can cause your body to retain more water and this leads to bloating and weight gain. Such intolerance is commonly associated with foods such as eggs, corn, dairy products and milk, gluten and soy. If you suffer from gas, bloating, and problems with your digestion and bowel movements – either constipation or diarrhea – it is good to check if you are intolerant to some particular food by keeping a food diary and watching for a relationship between these symptoms and certain foods. Sometimes, a probiotic supplement can help but if the food intolerance is great, you may need to abstain from the concerned food.
Weight loss Vancouver clinic provides its clients with a greater understanding of these obstacles that cause weight gain and do not allow you to lose weight. Once you find out the specific factor that is at play, you can then take the necessary steps to lose weight to get back to a healthy weight.