Habits that make you fat

Research has proved that those who spend prolonged hours in front of the TV tend to be overweight than those who don't. This is because when you watch TV, you are motionless, don't burn any calories and hence screen time kills the time you can spend for physical activities like exercising.

It takes the brain about 15-20 minutes to start signaling feelings of fullness and eating fast lets you eat too much before you are fully aware of it.

People often have snacks while working in front of the computer, driving, watching TV, or standing at the kitchen counter, shopping with a friend, or talking on the phone and one doesn't really realize how much one is eating while doing these activities simultaneously.

Most working people are too busy to make healthy dinners at home and thus opt to get fast food at the nearest drive-thru instead. Junk food has zero nutritive value and just adds up extra calories to your diet.

People tend to overeat when they too feel happy, too sad, excited, nervous, lonely or depressed. Experts estimate that 75% of overeating is caused by emotions, resulting in being overweight.

Not exercising is one of the very obvious reasons for gaining weight. From sitting in traffic, clocking hours at our desks, and plopping in front of the TV in exhaustion at the end of the day, exercise often goes by the wayside.

Sleep deprivation can raise your odds of obesity by boosting ghrelin (an appetite stimulating hormone) and lowering leptin (an appetite suppressor). So, make it a point to get at least 6 - 7 hours of sound sleep every night.

Many people eat with no idea of the calorie or fat value. This leads to weight gain because you can easily consume twice the normal amount required to maintain your weight, let alone lose weight.

Numerous studies have proved that those who have a healthy breakfast are less likely to be overweight, and that morning meals seem to help those who've lost weight to keep it off.

Alcohol interferes in fat metabolism. Anyone who is serious about keeping their weight in check should mind their drinking habits.

One should allow at least 2 hours after dinner before going to bed. Sleeping just after having dinner leads to fat accumulation.

Sweetened drinks such as colas are very calorie dense. Since the calories are absorbed into the blood stream fast, the body stores the unwanted calories as fat.