The Unexpected Reasons You're Gaining Weight

If you’ve been taking extra care not to gain weight, but you’re somehow still packing the pounds on, it may not just be your favorite TV shows and snacks that are to blame.

Here are some things that may be causing that weight gain, and some tools to stop the gain.

1. You could be eating too much iron. Do you think you’re eating too much red meat? It could be the cause of your weight gain. Eating too much iron may cause your hunger hormones to be altered, meaning that your metabolism slows and you eat more. One study, that found this to be true in mice and humans, suggested that suggested iron levels may be too high. Other forms of iron, like nuts, beans, and spinach don’t have enough iron for you to worry about eating too much of them, but red mead is an obvious culprit.
2. You’re blaming genetics. It’s possible your family history has something to do with your weight, but your weight is still in your hands. One survey of nearly 9,000 found that those who believed that obesity was in their genetics ended up eating more and exercising less than those who don’t believe that. You’re in control, there’s no reason to give up and blame your family.
3. You’re in a fight with your significant other. If your fights get too serious, it may cause you to overeat. Your ghrelin levels are raised when you’re using hostile language in arguments, and the study done to prove this says that couples should really keep an eye on marital distress ifthey don’t want to gain weight.
4. It’s just harder to lose weight now. A new study now says that it’s just harder to lose weight now than it was for our parents. Even eating less and exercising more doesn’t do the trick. A healthy adult, says the study, is about 10% heavier in 2008 than she would be in 1971, all diet and exercise habits being equal.