If you started taking in more calories than usual or cutting back on exercise, you would not be surprised if the numbers on the scale crept higher. But what if you are doing everything the same as you always do, and your weight still goes up? Time to delve a little deeper into what else might be going on.

Lack of sleep: There are two issues at work with sleep and weight gain. First, if you are up late, the odds are greater that you are doing some late-night snacking, which means more calories. The other reason involves what is going on in your body when you are sleep-deprived. Changes in hormone levels increase hunger and appetite and also make you feel not as full after eating.

Stress: When life's demands get too intense, our bodies go into survival mode. Cortisol, the "stress hormone," is secreted, which causes an increase in appetite. And of course, we may reach for high-calorie comfort foods in times of stress as well. This combination is a perfect breeding ground for weight gain.

Hypothyroidism: If your thyroid is not making enough thyroid hormone, you are probably feeling tired, weak, cold, and gaining weight. Without enough thyroid hormone, your metabolism slows, making weight gain more likely.

Certain medications: Several prescription drugs are linked to weight gain. The list includes antipsychotic drugs, along with medications to treat migraines, seizures, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Source: WebMD