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Weight Loss Plateau by Patrick Austin |
How to Overcome a Weight Loss Plateau
Hitting a weight loss plateau is a common experience for most
dieters. It’s probably one of the most depressing things
to happen during your dietary program, but it’s a very common
occurrence.
Initially you start off full of determination and see the pounds
dropping off over the first few weeks, then the weight loss slows
and may even stop. This is the weight loss plateau.
There are a number of reasons why people hit a weight loss plateau.
The most common being the fact that your body is adjusting to
your reduced calorie diet and exercise program. It’s preparing
itself for a period of famine. The body lowers the metabolism
in an attempt to slow use of your fatty energy reserves.
Don't let yourself become discouraged, and definitely don’t
quit your diet. The trick, once you hit your weight loss plateau
is to up your activity level. This will help boost your metabolism
level - and your body will continue to burn energy reserves.
Some helpful tips on how to overcome your weight loss plateau:
Change your workout - Similar to the point above, even
if you're happy with you current workout routine, it may be a
good move to change a few things. Following the same workout for
a long time results in the same set of muscles you workout becoming
used to the exercise. You should consider changing the exercise
to a different set of muscles. Some minor changes to your normal
workout, these new muscles will work harder and increase your
caloric burn. A good example would be to add some ankle weights
to your cardio workout. That will help you work a new set of muscles
and will also help build new muscle mass. Another possible change
could be to workout on an empty stomach(maybe in the early morning
or late evening). Exercising on an empty stomach will make your
body used your stored body fat for energy rather than the food
you have eaten during the day.
Strength training - Muscles require energy to function
- if you increase your muscle mass you'll increase the amount
of calories you burn on a daily basis. This is perhaps one of
the reasons why low carb diets, are successful for men, because
on average, men have a greater muscle mass. Adding a strength
training program to your exercise routine could help you get over
the hump. You don’t have to start lifting a ton of heavy
weights. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. Trying to do
too much too soon will hurt rather than help.
If you’d like more information about overcoming your weight
loss plateau, check out these sites:
Mr. Austin is a freelance writer who covers sports and health for a number of web sites including RealGM.com, Hoopsworld.com, and Fanstop.com. He currently also covers entertainment and sports for Vainquer magazine.
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