Dieters dread the plateau. You're on a roll, losing weight steadily and happily for weeks. Your confidence is high and your goal is in sight. Then suddenly your scale freezes. No matter how hard you try, those extra pounds just refuse to budge. You've hit a wall and you know the frustration of seeing no progress could easily lead you to gain back what you've lost. So how do you break through the plateau?
It's perfectly normal for a dieter to reach a plateau. The trick is to use it as an opportunity to double up your efforts and get really clear on your strategy to carry you through to the finish line. Below you'll find suggestions that can help you recommit to your program and re-ignite the weight-loss process when you feel challenged.
1. Get clear on your ultimate weight-loss goal.
Be sure that your weight-loss goal is realistic and that your expected rate of weight loss is reasonable. If you are on a heath enhancing, nutritionally rich weight loss program you can expect to loss one to two pounds a week. Each body has its own ideal weight and size. Don't compare yourself to anyone else, but listen to your body and notice what feels best for you. A simple way to approximate your ideal weight is by referring to a Body Mass Index chart.
2. Go high-protein, low carbs.
Unless you are eating enough protein to maintain your lean muscle mass, you are likely to have lost weight already from both your fat stores and muscle. Women need to eat approximately 100grams of protein a day and men 150 grams in order to preserve their muscle tissue during a weight loss program. If you have lost some muscle during your weight loss program so far you will need to focus on protein so your body can build muscle, which requires more calories to sustain, which will in turn, kick start your weight loss again. Needless to say, any weight loss program you choose should be one that preserves your body's muscle and this does not happen!
3. Add resistance training to your program.
A wonderful way to boost your metabolism and break through to the next level of weight loss is by incorporating aerobic exercise into your program, such as 30 minutes of walking three to four times a week. (If you are 35 years or older, or haven't exercised regularly, begin with 10 to 15 minutes two to three times a week.) In addition, weight training with free weights or machines several times a week can help increase muscle mass, which in turn allows you to burn more calories faster. Studies show that weight training can increase your metabolism overnight by five to 10 percent. Working out can increase your metabolism for up to 21 hours after an intense workout.
4. Look out for hidden carbohydrates.
If your weight loss progress seems slow, look out for carbohydrates that might be sneaking their way unnoticed into your diet. Sugar can lurk in the most unexpected places such as ketchup, salad dressings, teriyaki and barbecue sauces. Watch out too for cornstarch, sugar or milk solids in many processed foods such as gravies, or sauces on frozen vegetables. Be especially careful about "low-fat" foods where flavor is enhanced by sugar and other carbohydrates. Try keeping a diet journal for a couple of days of EVERYTHING you eat and drink. You may quickly discover the hidden carbs that are keeping your weight-loss progress stuck and be able to eliminate them and move past your plateau.
5. Take the "refinement" out of your diet.
Try eliminating all refined sugar and refined grains from your diet. This includes white bread, pastries, pasta, white rice, white flour crackers, sugar-coated breakfast cereals, cookies and cake. This simple step can encourage a huge weight-loss breakthrough and leave you feeling more healthy and energized in the process.
6. Don't go hungry.
Cutting back on how often you eat can have a negative impact on your diet plateau. Many studies show that small, frequent meals are more satisfying and produce better weight-loss results than the same number of calories consumed in three large meals. Take advantage of healthy snacking and crunch on fresh slices of raw vegetables like celery, peppers, cucumber and jicama when you're hungry.
7. Drink to burn up.
It's vitally important to replenish your fluids by drinking plenty of water on your weight loss program. An inadequate supply of water in itself can slow down your weight-loss. Carry water with you wherever you go throughout the day. For additional weight-management benefits, add a high quality aloe concentrate to your water to help keep your digestion in top shape. Also, a probiotic supplement can help us maintain a healthy intestinal flora. Keeping well hydrated not only helps you burn fat efficiently, it also helps control hunger.
8. Keep your incentive strong.
Remember the determination you felt when you first began your weight-loss program? Remember the excitement of watching the pounds drop one by one? Go back to whatever your initial motivation was and see whether it still works for you. It may have been the desire to lose weight for a particular event or to regain your figure after pregnancy. You may have been motivated by poor health or by the shock of just how much weight you had gained. See whether the same motivation still has juice for you. If not, choose a new one. Keep a picture of yourself looking great (or bad!) on your refrigerator as a daily reminder of where you are heading.
(c) Kim Beardsmore
Kim is a successful weight loss coach who will cut through the diet-hype and help you reach your goal weight. No public 'weigh-ins', meetings that cost you money or fads...simply results you will love! You can receive a free consultation. Visit today: http://tinyurl.com/6fajk Are you interested in earning money from home? We can help you grow a profitable home business: http://tinyurl.com/6fajk
Airbnb cleaning service Arlington Heights ..Ephedra has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of... Read More
Fast Weight Loss - Is it better to lose 2lbs... Read More
Would you run out of fingers, and maybe even toes,... Read More
Weight Loss and Water: A Way to Make Your Body... Read More
Not so resolved on that "New Year's Resolution" to be... Read More
We in the diet and exercise industry have our own... Read More
If your health and fitness are important to you, you... Read More
"Life would be perfect if only I was thin." That... Read More
Offer a woman the choice between a dress she likes... Read More
Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More
Have you ever worried about something so much it paralyzed... Read More
1. Quit snacking in between meals. Do not fall for... Read More
There's nothing more fun then being creative with food and... Read More
Dietitians just plain don't like low-carb or high-protein diets.Whether it's... Read More
With the rise of obesity and the increasing incidence of... Read More
Obesity is a disease that affects approximately 60 million people... Read More
Have you ever dreaded the idea of pulling weeds, planting... Read More
For years we heard that a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet would... Read More
Dieters are often told ? drink water. Drink a minimum... Read More
How many of your New Year's resolution start out with... Read More
Have you ever stepped on the scale after a week... Read More
Using healthy low carb recipes are an important part of... Read More
Your pants are a bit tight, you can't seem to... Read More
What is cellulite? Ask a doctor and he will probably... Read More
In the early nineties doctors were beginning to see the... Read More
reliable maid service Winnetka ..RISING POPULARITYGastric bypass surgery has become a popular surgical procedure... Read More
Many physical problems are related to obese condition, like difficulties... Read More
I never intended to get fat! I am not exactly... Read More
Offer a woman the choice between a dress she likes... Read More
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, writing... Read More
Diet tips for losing weight abound. Some are good, some... Read More
If you are a fan of horse racing, you are... Read More
Like millions of men and women, I started resolving to... Read More
I have put off writing a motivation article because of... Read More
A diet may be a fad diet or a healthy... Read More
With all of the conflicting studies and fuzzy interpretation of... Read More
Considering the US Center for Disease Control's advice is a... Read More
Would you run out of fingers, and maybe even toes,... Read More
The government, nutritionists, doctors, and dietitians implore us to eat... Read More
How much will power does it take in order to... Read More
Well, with the success of my article, "Wrinkle Remover That... Read More
Foods that are high in fiber and protein are the... Read More
The safe way to lose weight begins with a thorough... Read More
As a weight loss coach I speak will people regularly... Read More
Dieters have long searched for secret paths to easy weight... Read More
We have all set them, and we will revisit them... Read More
You are the GREATEST, aren't you? You are focusing on... Read More
So you've decided that you're going to do it.You're sick... Read More
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases today. One... Read More
When women talk about their biggest obstacles to successful weight... Read More
Weight Loss |