You are doing everything you can to lose weight, going to the gym regularly and eating healthy but still no results. As we age our metabolism tends to slow down and we will often make mistakes. Here below are a few tips to help.
Not drinking enough water
Drinking water is important to remove all the toxins. You should aim to drink at least 2 litres a day. Dehydration not only will lead to feeling tired but as the liver is overloaded with toxins that are not being flushed out it will become sluggish causing your metabolism to slow down. A healthy liver equals a fast metabolism. Not drinking enough water can also cause water retention on your stomach and legs. Always carry a bottle of water with you and sip it slowly through out the day.
Hypothyroidism (under active thyroid)
An under active thyroid will cause unexpected weight gain. You are doing everything right and you notice that you are putting on weight instead of losing it. Hypothyroidism means your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms will include constantly feeling tired, depressed and weight gain. A simple blood test can determine if you suffer from hypothyroidism. If you suspect this could be the case make an appointment to see your GP.
Hormonal changes in both men and women can cause unwanted weight gain. Too much oestrogen for example can cause fat gain, bloating, water retention and can also lead to hormonal cancers. Pre menopause and menopause can reek havoc with hormones. This is why from the age of 40 it is extremely important to have regular check ups and blood tests checking your hormones. I would suggest a blood test every three months.
Drinking too much coffee
Most of us enjoy a cup or two of coffee a day, but too much and it can cause the pounds to pile up increasing fat stored in your abdomen. Drinking excess amounts of coffee increases cortisol levels in the body that result in weight gain. This does not mean that you shouldn’t drink coffee. It means that you should not drink more than 1-2 cups a day.
Sitting at your desk all day
You workout every day for about and hour and then you spend endless hours sitting at your desk probably consuming one cup of coffee after the other. Sitting for long hours will increase your chances of weight gain. If you do have an office job it is important that you get up often and move around.