So you've really been trying hard to get in daily exercise and eat as healthy as possible but yet you're still not losing weight like you thought you would be. Don't give up, your new routine may not be at fault. WebMD [1] outlined some interesting (and lesser known) reasons you may be gaining and not losing weight [2], and they may surprise you. Here are highlights [3]:

1. You Might Be Gaining Weight Because of Lack of Sleep: The body functions best when well rested. "When you don't get enough sleep, your body experiences physiological stress and, biochemically, you store fat more efficiently," says Michelle May, MD, author of Am I Hungry? What to Do When Diets Don't Work.
2. You May Be Gaining Weight Because of Stress: "Stress response, whether it is 'fight-or-flight,' juggling too many responsibilities, or coping with financial pressures, triggers a biochemical process where our bodies go into survival mode," explains May. "Our bodies store fuel, slow down metabolism, and dump out chemicals [cortisol [4], leptin, and other hormones] which are more likely to cause . . . obesity in the abdominal region."

There's three more reasons so .

3. You May Be Gaining Weight Because of Medications: Some prescription drugs used to treat depression, mood disorders, seizures, migraines, blood pressure, and diabetes can cause weight gain, from a modest amount to as much as 10 pounds per month. Some steroids, hormone replacement therapy, and even oral contraceptives may also cause gradual weight creep. Your medicine cabinet might be the cause of your weight gain if you've gained 5 or more pounds in a month without a change in your lifestyle.
4. You May Be Gaining Weight Because of a Medical Condition: The most common medical condition that causes weight gain is hypothyroidism. A deficiency of thyroid hormone can decrease metabolism, causing appetite loss and weight gain. Much rarer is a condition known as Cushing's syndrome — a disorder caused by an excess of the hormone cortisol — that can also result in weight gain.
5. You May Be Gaining Weight Because of Menopause: Women reach menopause at a range of ages, but most are in midlife and are often less physically active than when they were younger. Along with aging comes a natural slowing of metabolism. At the same time, hormonal changes can trigger hunger, depression, and poor sleep.

Do any of these apply to you? Tell me in the comments section below.

Source [5]