A woman experienced a weight gain of 40lbs within six months despite maintaining her usual diet and exercise routine. Lex Banach, aged 29, found herself puzzled as she started rapidly gaining weight despite her healthy eating habits and regular gym visits. Suffering from brain fog and extreme fatigue, she consulted a doctor who revealed that she had been unknowingly dealing with sleep apnoea for three years. Residing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lex started using a CPAP machine and successfully shed 60lbs within a year.
Expressing her ordeal, Lex stated, “I felt bewildered for years not understanding my body’s changes. I was following the same dietary and workout plans.” She disclosed, “I’ve always snored and breathed through my mouth. The doctor linked the weight gain to likely being due to sleep apnoea.”
Further narrating her fitness journey, Lex managed to lose 20lbs in 2020, reaching her goal weight of 160lbs from 180lbs. However, in early 2021, she encountered a sudden weight gain of 40lbs despite maintaining her diet and exercise routines. Perplexed by the situation, she decided to discontinue her birth control pill in 2022 as she could not identify any other reason for the weight gain.
Experiencing brain fog and extreme fatigue, Lex shared, “I needed to nap daily; I felt constantly drained.” She also struggled with impulse control, mentioning instances of overeating and personality changes. Seeking medical help, Lex was informed of her likely anxiety, depression, and reconfirmed sleep apnoea diagnosis.
Sleep apnoea, a condition where breathing pauses and resumes during sleep, can lead to mood swings, sleep disturbances, and fatigue if left untreated. Lex underwent a sleep study that revealed she woke up 68 times during the night, resulting in a diagnosis of mild sleep apnoea.
Disrupted sleep due to sleep apnoea can disrupt metabolism, hormonal balance, and energy levels, contributing to weight gain. Following her diagnosis, Lex was prescribed a CPAP machine in June 2023 to aid in breathing improvement while sleeping. Within a year, she saw significant weight loss, dropping down to 140lbs from 200lbs.
Despite her progress, Lex had to return the CPAP machine in April 2024 and experienced the return of sleep apnoea symptoms in May 2025, leading to a 20lbs weight gain. Lacking health insurance, she is managing her symptoms through meditation and yoga to the best of her ability.
