Weight
Loss Plateau Advice to Get the
Scales Going Down Again
One of the most
frustrating cycles of weight loss is the weight loss plateau. It
may ease your mind to know that everyone who tries to lose weight
will hit a weight loss plateau, typically more than once. As you
might suspect, there is a biological reason for the weight loss
plateau phenomenon, and once you understand the reason, it’s
a little easier to confront a weight loss plateau with an effective
plan of attack.
A weight loss plateau
occurs because in general, the human body will resist weight loss.
For every bit of weight you lose, your body will adjust itself to
its new weight, slowing the metabolism to balance the calories you
consume with the calories your body burns. Another factor in the
weight loss plateau is the fact that, at a lighter weight, your
body needs less calories to survive. So the more weight you lose
on your diet, the less calories your body needs, and eventually
the two numbers will merge and you will hit the weight loss plateau.
Here are a few
ideas you can try to break past the weight loss plateau:
- Don’t give up. You
may be losing weight, but just more slowly. A few ounces a week
will not register on your scale right away, so hang in there.
- Be more detailed in counting
calories. A couple mini candy bars a day may be contributing
to your weight loss plateau.
- Make sure your weight loss
goals are realistic for your body type.
- Try eating more low-fat protein,
which may reduce hunger and help boost your metabolism.
If your weight
loss program includes exercise, your weight loss plateau may be
caused by your body being better conditioned. In other words, the
more you exercise, the fewer calories your body will burn doing
the same exercise because your body has become conditioned. When
this is the case, a higher intensity and longer workout routine
will help you burn past a weight loss plateau.
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