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
reliable maid service Highland Park ..It's definitely no fun to lose weight -- put it... Read More
Families who dine out with their loved ones who've had... Read More
If you're serious about losing weight and getting fit, you... Read More
With so many diets and fads being offered on the... Read More
Fat burners have become very popular in today's society, especially... Read More
For some of us, food is warmth and love. We... Read More
The Review Diaries She Unlimited MagazineThere are masses of carbohydrate... Read More
Are you sick of the hype? Wondering what diet products... Read More
Dieting Dilemma No 1: When Life Gets in the WayThat... Read More
There is only one way to lose weightThere really is... Read More
A Little Help With Some Difficult terms ------------------------------------------ Aerobic... Read More
Most men and women that I have trained over the... Read More
Do you want to lose weight? Of course you do,... Read More
The Dr Atkins Diet has been around for ages, but... Read More
There are a lot of "crash" diets out there that... Read More
You know what is so amazing? We get to keep... Read More
Are there any foods that burn body fat? If yes,... Read More
I gotta confess: I'm completely addicted to crisps. Any kind... Read More
To really understand the impact of a protein diet, it's... Read More
Weight training combines building muscle tone and working the cardiovascular... Read More
What is negative calorie effect? Whatever food we eat,... Read More
Not so resolved on that "New Year's Resolution" to be... Read More
When it comes to our weight and the appearance of... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
For the past several years one subject has been coming... Read More
house cleaning company Lincolnshire ..I know, I know. What a crazy question!Considering that we've... Read More
In our never ending search for the illusive "Fountain of... Read More
Fat does Not Make You Fat. One of the other... Read More
Nitrates and nitrites are preservatives that are added to certain... Read More
The Atkins diet can be boring because of the limited... Read More
Everywhere we look in the western world we are inundated... Read More
We are inundated by exhortations to lose weight - from... Read More
If you have a protruding abdomen, loose skin as a... Read More
Not so resolved on that "New Year's Resolution" to be... Read More
Dieters have long searched for secret paths to easy weight... Read More
Let's face when it comes to overweight and obesity there... Read More
Obesity acceptance, also known as fat acceptance, has a simple,... Read More
A startling fact is that carbohydrates are not responsible for... Read More
We all have aspects of health we want to improve.... Read More
Everyone has their own individual reason for joining a health... Read More
Are you dieting your way to bone loss?Are you aware... Read More
There are a lot of "crash" diets out there that... Read More
You are going to be pleasantly surprised! Most people think... Read More
All the weight control experts recommend keeping a record of... Read More
There are several theories on the origins of Valentine's Day.... Read More
You may be considering weight loss surgery if you are... Read More
We think we know everything there is to know about... Read More
If you're serious about losing weight and getting fit, you... Read More
Stop Weight From Creeping Up By Staying AwareEveryone has small... Read More
Have you seen the ditty below that's roaming the Internet... Read More
Weight Loss |