Hit a Weight Loss Plateau?

Even if you have found initial success in your weight-loss endeavors, being able to continue to lose weight can often prove a more difficult challenge.






Plateauing, a fitness term referring to periods where weight loss seems to stall despite diet and exercise, is commonplace among dieters. Should you hit a plateau, the first and arguably most important thing you should do is not lose hope. It is easy to understand how plateauing can shake one's drive and confidence, especially if it happens after seeing regular improvement.

But do not despair! There are ways to break through your plateau and continue down the mountain to your goal. The key is variety. As you lose weight, your body begins to adjust to everything from the foods you eat in general to the exercises you typically perform. If you stop seeing results while eating certain foods and working out in a certain way, no matter how healthy they are, it may be necessary to change up your routines.

First, you should really look at what you're eating. Start keeping a journal of your meals and see if there is anything that you are eating regularly that might be less healthy than you think. When eating out, even seemingly healthy meals like salads can be loaded with fat and calories. With all your meals recorded, try changing some of them. Surprise your body by replacing a serving of grains or sugary fruits with green vegetables. You may also find it helpful to change when you eat. Ideally, you should be having several small meals throughout the day to keep your metabolism running at its most efficient.

Another way to battle that big fat plateau is changing your workout routine. There is an important mantra that states that any activity that you do every day can be exercise, but don't rely on it. While even the smallest healthy changes like using the stairs instead of the elevator are helpful, ultimately they cannot be counted on as a full-on workout session. Keep your body guessing where the next sweat is coming from. If you like to use a treadmill, try a stationary bike. If you like to work out at a preset speed or intensity, try switching to an interval program. It may seem counter-intuitive to work out, even for one set, at a lower intensity than you're used to but that variation is what will free your body from the plateau.


Best Wishes on your weight loss journey from all of us at Element Fitness!




Wanna know more? Read more!:
For more advice about how to break out of a plateau, visit http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/expert.q.a/12/31/weight.loss.plateau/index.html?npt=NP1