Physician says ‘first sign of weight gain isn’t what you think’: It’s not your belly or face, but this surprising spot

Most people think weight gain shows first on the belly or face, but a physician reveals it actually begins subtly in a surprising, hidden spot.

It's easy to assume that weight gain is only noticeable when your clothes feel snug or the numbers on the scale rise. But sometimes, our body gives early warning signals in ways we never expect. Dr. William Li, physician and scientist, shared on August 21 podcast with Mel Robbins how subtle changes in the body can be the first signs that weight is creeping on, long before the scale reflects it.

Where does weight gain start before you notice it

Dr. William Li reveals surprising first sign of weight gain.

"Weight gain does not start with your muffin top. Weight gain starts in a very subtle way, and this has been studied with clinical research. It's the visceral fat, the fat that's inside our body that you can't see, that starts to grow early. So when you have too many calories and overflow your fuel tank, the first fat that grows inside your body is invisible," says Dr. William.

"When body fat grows in the back of the tongue, your tongue gets fatter. Now, when you sleep, your muscles relax, including the fat tongue, which starts to block your airway. That's why you start snoring. So the telltale sign of early weight gain is snoring. It's the first place the fat accumulates, and your sleeping partner is usually the first to notice," concludes Dr. William.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.