One day you can simply weigh more than the next. So have you 'gained' two kilos since last week? Do not panic. Maybe one of these things is going on.
As your period approaches, your weight tends to increase. The difference can be a few pounds. Exactly how it is that you are heavier just before your period is not one hundred percent scientifically explained. The peak of the female sex hormone estrogen probably plays a role during the latter part of your cycle.
Researchers have found that a (structurally) increased estrogen level in the body causes the body to store extra fat, especially around the waist, thighs, buttocks and upper arms. Also, high estrogen levels can cause your body to retain more water. Chances are you will see this reflected on the scale. The good news:the pounds will disappear on their own once you have your period. Because then your estrogen level drops again.
Read also: ‘10 reasons why you are not losing weight‘
The morning after a meal you are suddenly a lot heavier. But take comfort:one meal has no lasting effect on your weight. Weight gain is a result of consistently eating more calories than you burn. According to the Body Weight Planner, based on research from the US National Institutes of Health, to gain one pound of fat you need to consume an energy surplus of around 7,000 calories (which is really a lot). So even if you have had a very extensive dinner, and also have a lot of sweets, you will not be able to do that for a long time. The fact that you are still heavier after an evening meal may be because you eat more than usual when going out for dinner, because the weight of the food also has an influence. The dishes also often contain more salt than you are used to. Your body responds to this by retaining moisture. Drink plenty of water (at least 2 liters) the day after you eat out and you will see your weight drop quickly.
If outside the sparrows fall from the roof, the scales might surprise you negatively. Heat can make your body retain more water. Your body can no longer properly dissipate heat through the bloodstream and to prevent overheating, your blood vessels dilate. Due to gravity, the excess fluid sinks down, so you get swollen feet, ankles and sometimes swollen legs.
A new job, an important presentation or a loved one who is ill… all situations where stress can come into play. Stress is a natural and healthy response:your body is preparing to handle certain circumstances. Your body produces adrenaline and therefore you are alert, energetic and focused. In the short term, this adrenaline can prevent you from swallowing a bite, and you can just drop a few pounds.
But if the stressful situation lasts longer, stress actually makes you fat. Your body is then continuously in survival mode, resulting in hunger. Due to the increase in the hormone cortisol in your blood, your body thinks it needs extra calories, even if it doesn't really. An increased cortisol level also causes a higher insulin level and therefore a lower blood sugar level and therefore you may crave sweet, fatty foods more than usual.
Adults consume 3 to 4 kilos of food and drink daily. If you consider that the time between eating a meal and going to the toilet is at least 24-36 hours, you understand that you may be a little heavier the morning after you have eaten a large plate of stew. It works the same the other way around:if you eat little or light one day, you will be slightly lighter the next morning. However, this has little to do with your fat percentage, but purely with the amount of food in your intestines. If you suffer from constipation, you can often see that very clearly on the scale:your intestines are fuller than normal. Eat fiber-rich foods and drink plenty of water to keep your digestive system functioning optimally.
Read also: Tips for a good bowel movement
Have you ever noticed that after a short night of sleep you feel more like sugary snacks? That could be right. There are several studies that clearly show that people who sleep too little have a greater appetite for sweet snacks. Too little sleep (on average less than five hours a night) disrupts the balance between the hormones ghrelin and leptin. These hormones regulate appetite. When you suffer from sleep deprivation, your body produces more ghrelin, which signals your brain that it is time to eat. In addition, the amount of leptin decreases, so that your appetite stays longer and you eat more.
