Sometimes after a period of steady weight loss, the scale stops moving. Without making any conscious changes to your diet and exercise habits, your weight loss halts. This is known as a weight loss plateau. This can be a frustrating period, and it may test your will to continue striving toward your ultimate goals.
You can take several steps to push past a weight loss plateau. Do not let a temporary standstill dissuade you from continuing your weight loss program. A plateau is an opportunity to re-connect with your weight loss center and develop a new strategy to help you continue losing weight.
Why Plateaus Happen
The beginning of your weight loss program is the easiest time to lose weight. Cutting a moderate level of calories and exercising lightly may provide results. As you begin to lose weight, your body needs change. To continue reaching your goals, you may need to make adjustments to some of your habits.
Here are some changes that may be required to overcome a weight loss plateau:
Dietary – This includes slight changes to your meal replacement plan, reduced calorie intake, and food substitutions.
Exercise – Increasing the amount and the intensity of your current activity level can help you burn more calories.
Medication – Changing the type or dosage of current weight loss medications, or introducing new weight loss medications.
Each of these factors will contribute to small improvements in weight loss efforts. When combined, they can help you manage your weight loss long-term.
Moving Forward
A weight loss plateau is an opportunity to re-assess your progress. Use this time to evaluate what changes you’ve made, and how those changes are holding up in your day-to-day life.
When you encounter a plateau, consider:
- Your sleeping habits
- How much water you drink daily
- Snacking habits
- Portion sizes
- Daily activity level
- How you are managing stress
Take a weight loss plateau as a chance to re-focus your weight loss efforts by making small adjustments to behaviors like these. Your weight loss doctor can help you develop a new strategy for continuing towards your wellness goals after reaching a plateau.
This is How You Lose the Weight, Once and For All
If you’re ready to say goodbye to quick fixes that never last? And you’re serious about losing the weight for good? We’re the experts you can trust to guide you through a weight loss program that will not only take the weight off but keep it off.
Schedule a consultation with us today.