Crafts & Hobbies Information
 
Web World-SuperSite

Say Goodbye to the Dreaded Weight Loss Plateau


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/48cdy


MORE RESOURCES:

Oh Baby: OB GYN offers up weight loss secret
Sioux City Journal, IA - 7 hours ago
Cheat -- even a little -- and weight loss wouldn't happen. Try to cook daily "and you're probably going to fail." The secret: Make your meals ahead of time, ...


Weight loss revolution a lifestyle change
The Saginaw News - MLive.com, MI - Dec 1, 2008
By October 2005, Garth was back on TV announcing a 55-pound weight loss. She's since dropped almost 30 more for a total loss of 85 pounds from the 200 ...


Examiner.com

Randy Jackson's soulful weight loss journey
Examiner.com - 2 hours ago
His new book titled Body With Soul, is a testament to his long and hard journey of weight loss. He shares his struggles with fad diets and solutions that he ...


Weight-loss Boot Camp winners
Mount Airy News, NC - 6 hours ago
She said she couldn’t be happier about her life-changing weight loss. “It’s just additive. Once you start seeing the weight come off, you want to do more ...


Three habits for holiday weight loss
Daily Comet, LA - 18 hours ago
Remember that calorie control is the most important component in weight loss, but if you want a license to cheat when you eat, you have to get off the sofa ...


Emmerdale actress in weight-loss op
The Press Association - 3 hours ago
Many women up and down the land envy Emmerdale actress Lucy Pargeter's good looks and trim figure. But what percentage would swap places with the stunning ...


RE Barber Ford employees shed pounds for weight-loss contest
HollandSentinel.com, MI - 11 hours ago
... last minute to be a part of the contest, not really expecting to win, but because he had gone back and forth about the idea of weight loss for awhile. ...


Natural News.com

Ginseng Found Highly Effective for Weight Loss and Diabetes Control
Natural News.com, AZ - 12 hours ago
Now researchers are adding to the traditional list, documenting ginseng as highly effective in weight loss and diabetes control. ...


2 Weight Loss Supplements Recalled
KSBW, CA - 16 hours ago
Monterey County public health officials issued a warning Monday to consumers about two weight loss supplements that are currently being recalled because ...


FatExcuses.com Announces Free Weight Loss Tracker and Ability to ...
PR Web (press release), WA - Dec 1, 2008
FatExcuses.com, a website for people who want to lose weight and monitor their diet progress, now offers one of the most comprehensive Free Weight Loss ...

Weight-Loss - Google News

home | site map
© 2006