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
affordable house cleaning Wilmette ..No matter what the reason, successful weight loss and healthy... Read More
A metabolism drug like ephedrine, has shown many people how... Read More
There's a dirty little secret in the diet industry. The... Read More
Motivation is a factor often overlooked when it comes to... Read More
Because the Internet allows so many millions of people to... Read More
Many Americans include health improvement in their New Year's Resolutions.... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
Two basic approaches to losing weight; one approach is correct... Read More
You've heard the popular advice on weight loss diets. Cut... Read More
What is the link between Hispanics and obesity? Are people... Read More
Much has been written about obesity and globesity. Obesity is... Read More
There's more to gastric bypass than surgery and rapid massive... Read More
The chemistry sounds very straightforward. Human body fat is a... Read More
Things get so confusing when it comes to understanding what... Read More
Weight loss is so consistent and rapid after gastric bypass... Read More
The 8-Week Campaign to Survive the HolidaysEating preparations in the... Read More
Diet is a dreadful word for most of us because... Read More
Chant the following each day, several times. They are mantras... Read More
While it would be ideal to make all of our... Read More
MYTH: Fad diets work for permanent weight loss.FACT: Fad diets... Read More
If you have been eating as usual and the pounds... Read More
According to a new study appearing in the American Journal... Read More
You gain weight when your calorie intake is more than... Read More
More and more people are turning to hypnosis or hypnotherapy... Read More
There are several ways to manage cravings. You can: ... Read More
quick home cleaning Northbrook ..Have you ever wondered where destiny would lead you? Have... Read More
Any true body transformation starts with self?discovery. It is an... Read More
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases today. One... Read More
Today you have a good chance of getting diabetes or... Read More
Some (not so) Silly Diet Tips and Why They're NotAt... Read More
On the road to weight loss, fitness, and health,... Read More
Abdominoplasty, or "tummy tuck" is a major surgical procedure that... Read More
Have you ever thought, "I just can not seem to... Read More
Which is easier to do ? turn a car's steering... Read More
We all know it's hard to begin losing weight, no... Read More
"I never saw it coming, how did I get so... Read More
Yesterday evening my computer hard drive crashed. Resulting in the... Read More
Looking to lose some pounds quickly? Fast and safe weight... Read More
We have such good weight loss intentions. We emotionally beat... Read More
Nice girls don't speak up. Nice girls take care of... Read More
Obesity is a disease that affects approximately 60 million people... Read More
You have been on diets before. You probably have lost... Read More
Cellulite happens to us for many reasons. Some reasons-- like... Read More
Healthy eating has become part of your life, but you're... Read More
As a woman, your body is very complex. Throughout every... Read More
Following recent reports of a South Dakota man weighing half... Read More
The diet that worked for meI have had a lot... Read More
Activity means both mental and physical activity.Mental activity is similar... Read More
I bet you already know all the health benefits for... Read More
I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. You're... Read More
Weight Loss |