7 Surprising Reasons Why Your Home Could Make You Overweight

It’s almost a month since those New Year resolutions were made to get fit and loose some weight. But if, despite your best efforts, you are feeling like you have made little or no progress, there might be a good reason for this.

Strange as this is going to sound: your home could be the cause. Or rather, how it is designed and laid out.

Here are seven surprising reasons why your home could be making you overweight. And what you can do about it right now.

1) Kitchen layout

You may have decided to change the way you eat. But if the layout in your kitchen is still exactly the same, it’s going to be hard to break those old eating habits.

According to a study by Brian Wansink, professor of nutritional science at Cornell University, New York, we are more likely to eat what we see first. So, if when you’re hungry, the first thing you see is junk food – that is instinctively what you’re going to go for.

The solution is to rearrange your kitchen. Store treats like crisps, biscuits and chocolate somewhere out of the way. If it is more inconvenient to get them, they won’t be the default items you reach for. And, additionally, you’re more likely to forget about them.

Instead, keep a bowl of fresh fruit and vegetables on your kitchen counter. And because you’re nearly three times more likely to eat healthy food if it’s in your line of sight, it is an effortless way to start eating healthier.

2) Dehydration

When you have the central heating in winter, it can make the atmosphere in your home very dry. And sometimes, you may start to feel like you’re hungry. But in fact, you could actually be dehydrated. The symptoms of dehydration often closely mimic those of hunger.

The simple answer is to drink more water.

But if you don’t like the idea of drinking straight from the tap, a beautiful glass bottle filled with chilled water makes it more appealing. Alternatively, a bottle or jug with built in water filter will give you instant fresh and crisp tasting water.

3) Red and yellow

Is your home – and in particular your kitchen and dining area – decorated in red or yellow?

Psychologists have discovered that these two colours are an appetite stimulant. They stimulate the nervous system which will make you feel hungrier. (Which is why those colours are so often used in fast food restaurants.)

Red and yellow also cause you to eat faster. And you will actually eat more if you rush a meal.

So decorate your home and choose home accessories in a more calming palette of colours.

4) Size of your plate

We tend to fill up our plate in relation to the size of it. Meaning, the larger your plate, the more you will eat.

Instead of eating off a large dinner plate, use a side or dessert plate. And you can instantly reduce your calorie intake.

5) The kitchen as a hub

There’s something quite idyllic about the kitchen at the heart of the home where everyone gathers. But has it become more than just a place to cook and eat? Is it also the hub where you watch TV, surf the net, and spend most of your time?

If so, you’re constantly going to be in close proximity to food. And that makes it easy to snack mindlessly.

Try to allocate the kitchen just for food related activities, and use another area of your home for relaxing. This isn’t as easy if your place is open plan. But even creating different zones will help.

6) Paperwork in your bedroom

Do you ever work or keep paperwork in your bedroom?
If so, this may cause stress. This in turn can lead to poor quality sleep and increase the level of the stress hormone Cortisol in the body.

Some studies have shown that when Cortisol is released in response to stress, it will signal to the body to store fat. Especially around the abdominal region.

In addition, when you are tired, there is a tendency to eat more. And especially junk food, as a quick energy fix

Therefore, make your bedroom a work free zone. And keep it as a calming retreat.

7) Clutter

A home full of clutter is energy sapping. It will make you sluggish, tired and less likely to feel like exercising.

And if your kitchen is messy, there will be no room to prepare proper wholesome meals. You’re then more likely to go for a quick convenience option.

Start to declutter your home. Even just a few minutes each day can make a difference. Not only will your home look better, but it will also have an effect on your mood and energy levels.

Do you have any other tips for making your home conducive to healthy eating and fitness? Please tell me about them …

[Images: 1 & 2 – Mocha | 3 – Jordivayreda | 4 – Hempel Hotel]