If you’re like most people, you’ve probably wondered how to break the weight loss plateau at some point. This frustrating phenomenon can halt your progress and leave you feeling stuck. But don’t worry, there are ways to break through this barrier! Trust me, this happened to me. In this blog post, we will discuss what causes weight loss plateaus, how to overcome them, and what not to do. Let’s get started!
What you will learn
What causes weight loss to plateau?
Watch this video by Dr. Matthew Weiner on Why Weight Loss Plateaus Occur
Calorie Intake
There are a few different reasons why weight loss may plateau. One reason is that, as you lose weight, your body requires fewer calories to maintain its new, lower weight. This means that you will have to eat less or exercise more to continue losing weight. This can be a difficult adjustment to make, but it is necessary if you want to continue seeing results.
Muscle Mass
Another reason weight loss may plateau is that, as you lose fat, you replace it with muscle. Muscle tissue is denser than fat tissue, so even though you may be losing weight, your body may actually be gaining.
Decrease in Metabolism
Another reason for weight-loss plateaus is that, as you lose fat, your body begins to burn muscle for energy. This can lead to a decrease in metabolism, which makes it harder to lose weight.
Hormones
Finally, hormones can also play a role in weight loss plateaus. As your hormone levels change, they can affect your appetite and how your body burns calories.
Now that we know what causes weight loss plateaus, let’s talk about how to overcome them!
Weight Loss Plateau Tips
There are a few things you can do to break through a weight loss plateau. Let us talk about this:
Change Your Calorie Intake
If you’re not seeing results, it may be necessary to change your calorie intake. This means eating less or exercising more. You will need to experiment to find the right balance for your body.
For example, if you’re eating 2000 calories per day and not losing weight, you may need to reduce your intake to 1500 calories per day.
Change Your Exercise Routine
If you’ve been doing the same exercise routine for a while, you’ll need to change it up. You may not know this but your body adapts to certain exercises after a while. So, if you’re doing the same thing all the time, your body will no longer be challenged and you’ll stop seeing results.
Increase Your Intensity
Another way to change your exercise routine is to increase the intensity. If you’re not seeing results, it may mean that you need to work harder. This doesn’t necessarily mean working out for longer periods of time.
You can also increase the intensity by adding more weight, doing more reps, or increasing the speed at which you’re working out.
Give Yourself Time
It’s important to remember that weight loss is a slow process. So, if you’re not seeing results immediately, don’t give up! It takes time and consistency to see results.
Spread out workouts
Instead of working out all at one time, try spreading your workouts throughout the day. This will help to increase your metabolism and burn more calories. I did this recently. A 30-minute yoga at night and then a quick 20 minutes on the elliptical. I started doing yoga during my lunch hour and the elliptical at night and lost weight.
Watch this video on How to design an Effective Workout Plan by Joanna Soh Official
How long does weight loss plateau last?
A weight loss plateau generally can last between 8 to 12 weeks long. Everyone is different so keep doing what you are doing.
Will a weight loss plateau go away on it’s own? No! If you can see all the signs that you have reached the plateau, it is time to break it.
Conclusion
There you have it! These are some tips to help you break through a weight loss plateau. Remember, be patient and consistent, and don’t give up! You will see results!