Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything right when it comes to your diet and exercise routine, but still can’t seem to lose weight? If so, you might be engaging in some habits that are making it harder for you to shed those pounds.

Specifically, there are a few things that many people do right before bed that can contribute to weight gain. Let’s take a closer look at the top six habits that are making you gain weight before bedtime.

1. Eating Late-Night Snacks

If you find yourself reaching for a snack right before bed, you’re not alone. However, consuming late-night snacks can be a major contributing factor to weight gain.

When you eat right before bed, your body doesn’t have as much time to burn off those calories. Additionally, the food you eat can cause your blood sugar levels to spike and disrupt your sleep, which can further impact your weight.

2. Binge-Watching Television

Another common habit that can lead to weight gain is binge-watching television.

When you sit for long periods of time and stay up late getting lost in your favorite shows, you’re not only missing out on sleep but also potentially snacking mindlessly or not burning as many calories. Research has shown that those who watch a lot of television tend to have a higher body mass index (BMI) than those who watch less TV, so it’s important to be mindful of your viewing habits.

3. Drinking Alcohol

While having a glass of wine or a cocktail every now and then is probably harmless, consuming alcohol right before bed can quickly add on the pounds.

Alcohol contains a high amount of calories and sugar, and the effects of its consumption can also cause your body to hold onto excess fat. Additionally, alcohol can disrupt your sleep cycle, which can impact your metabolism and cause you to gain weight over time.

4. Eating Heavy Meals

You might think that eating a big, hearty meal right before bed will keep you feeling full and satisfied throughout the night. However, this is actually a counterintuitive approach to losing weight.

When you eat a heavy meal before bedtime, your body has to work harder to digest the food, which can disrupt your sleep and contribute to weight gain. Instead, try to eat smaller, lighter meals earlier in the day, so your body has ample time to digest the food and burn off the calories.

5. Using Electronic Devices

If you’re like most people, you probably spend a fair amount of time on your phone, tablet, or laptop right before bed.

While scrolling through social media or checking your emails might seem harmless, using electronic devices can actually disrupt your sleep and contribute to weight gain. The blue light emitted by electronic devices can interfere with your body’s natural sleep cycle, which in turn can negatively impact your metabolism and energy levels.

Additionally, the blue light can also stimulate your brain and make you more likely to snack or eat late at night.

6. Skipping Meals

Last but not least, one of the most common habits that can lead to weight gain is skipping meals. When you don’t eat enough during the day, your body goes into starvation mode and starts storing fat.

This can make it harder to lose weight, even if you’re exercising regularly. Additionally, when you skip meals, you’re more likely to snack or binge eat later on, which can contribute to late-night weight gain.

The Bottom Line

If you’re struggling to lose weight, it’s important to take a closer look at your habits. By identifying and changing the ones that are contributing to weight gain, you can start to see real progress towards your goals.

Specifically, avoiding late-night snacking, binge-watching television, and consuming alcohol before bed, as well as eating heavy meals late in the day, using electronic devices before bed, and skipping meals, can all make a big difference.