HELP! Why am I gaining weight?

[Newusername321]

I posted this before a while ago but it ended up an argument with people telling me I had an eating disorder (I appreciate the concern but I genuinely don’t!) and it ended up getting deleted. any advice would be appreciated.

I’ve put in so much weight recently and I don’t understand why. I know I’m not ‘fat’ but I’ve never put in this much weight so quickly and I’m just a bit confused and upset I suppose.

My weight is usually mid 8 stone. I noticed at the start of this year that I had gained some weight unexpectedly even though I looked the same, then a short while later I was unwell and lost some weight and was around 8 stone, but then when I got better I gained it all back again and went back to my normal weight. But over the last few months I seem to have gone back to gaining weight and I don’t understand why.

Currently I’m just slightly under 10 stone- a stone and a half different from my usual weight😧 I don’t look any different, my clothes still fits me the exact same (if im being pedantic, my leggings probably feel slightly tighter but only very very very slightly) I genuinely don’t know where I’ve gained this weight. I get bloated regularly (usually trapped wind, and eating certain food!) but that’s usually transient bloating and it just goes up and down accordingly. Sometimes my stomach is completely flat, other times it’s 9 months pregnant.

Lifestyle wise I haven’t become unhealthy or changed anything- I’m doing more exercise now but I’ve not bulked up weight and I don’t look different at all. I don’t feel more ‘muscley’- for context I’m an event rider and have done a lot of dressage riding and schooling this year, but only a slight increase from my normal amount of riding as I’ve always exercised a lot

My diet is the exact same- I eat healthy 9x out of 10 with the odd cheat food, but nothing abnormal and it hasn’t changed.

just to clarify- I don’t think people at my weight are far. I’m just confused and a bit upset about why I’m suddenly gaining weight this quickly. im not menopausal or in puberty- I’m in my mid 20s! I just don’t understand what’s going on

Any medication?

Might be worth looking at food intolerances regarding the bloating.

Also just want to say- I’m not in denial that maybe I’ve caused this somehow by lifestyle and I’m not looking for ‘excuses’ about why I’ve gained weight, I’m just a bit confused and I’ve never gained this much weight so quickly so just wanted to get some opinions on it in case anyone else has experienced similar x

No definitely not.

yes I definitely need to do that! I keep putting it off but I’m going to get it done and see what food is annoying me. The bloating isn’t new though I’ve had it for years- it’s a gamble everyday if I have a flat stomach or if I’m expecting twins! Even on days where I’m not bloated and I have a flat stomach, I’m still almost 10 stone

I should also have said- I’ve had blood tests (when I was unwell) to check for everything and thankfully everything was clear!

Swelling and bloating is medical issue. Agree re intolerances

I think the bloating is a red herring, and if you do look 9 months pregnant sometimes then you need to see a doctor!

I think the weight gain is just something that happens as your body matures through your 20s into your 30s. I'm in my early 30s and I'm ~1.5 stone heavier than I was when I was 20ish, but it's only been in quite recent years I've had to regularly buy one clothes size bigger.

Keep an eye on it of course but I think you're just naturally maturing.

Op were you petite as a teenager? Is there a chance you're a bit of a 'late bloomer' physically?
I stayed a virtually the same size and shape from an early teen until mid twenties then put on a stone. At the time I assumed it was down to a bit of a drinking/eating out lifestyle, but looking back (esp at photos) it was very much due to my body maturing - wider hips, bigger thighs etc. I looked like a teenager in my early twenties, and then like an adult at 26/27.

The bloating is something to consider separately, it sounds like you might have a food intolerance which will affect how you look though not necessarily your weight.

Do you have any other symptoms?
Are you eating more than usual?
What blood tests were done?

Maybe you need fewer calories. If calories in > calories out the excess of energy is stored in the body as fat. Have your exercise levels decreased?

Hey your thyroid checked. I’ve always been a string bean (5’7.5 and currently 8.5 stone at age 45). I work out and eat healthily but honestly don’t need to put in a huge effort. It’s just my build.

However, I developed Hashimoto’s when I was 35 and out of nowhere gained half a stone. It doesn’t sound like much, but for me it was highly unusual. Once I got the dose of my thyroid meds correct, I went back to my usual weight.

TSH is a decent marker for thyroid issues, but try and get a full thyroid panel done. Good luck, OP.

The OP said in the opening post that they have increased their exercise levels, not decreased.

OP, maybe get your thyroid checked or see a doctor if you are concerned.

See your doctor. It could be anything from thyroid to ovarian cysts. Best get checked.

To the few pp above, she has already seen her doctor.

OP, "normal" blood tests don't mean nothing is wrong. They are quite often used to rule out certain diagnoses but in that case it should lead to further investigation. So what further investigations is your doctor doing?

This! Go to your doctor

Second the calls to go to the gp if you're feeling bloated etc.

Second the calls to go to the gp if you're feeling bloated etc.

Definitely GP. They'll need to check ovaries and stool sample.