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If your weight loss has been pretty stable and predictable for the most part, it can be incredibly frustrating to see the numbers on the scale stop moving . . . and refuse to budge . . . and still refuse to budge!  This is known as the dreaded weight loss plateau, and it can mean different things for different people.  Almost always, breaking a plateau requires doing something different to jumpstart your weight loss again.  The problem is, it’s hard to know exactly what those actions might be.

Below are a few questions to ask yourself:

1) How many carbohydrates have you been eating?

Eating too many carbohydrates (simple or complex) can cause weight loss to stall.  Just how many carbs you can safely eat each day without stalling your weight loss is a very individual thing.  Some people never have a problem with carbs.  Others have to be very careful that they don’t overdo it or they stop losing weight, or even start gaining weight.  If you’ve been stuck on a plateau for a few weeks, a reduced carbohydrate day might get things moving again.  Note that you don’t have to completely eliminate carbs from your diet, nor is it advisable to do so.  Just eating fewer grain products, starchy foods, and especially sugar will often make a difference.  Replacing those calories with something else is recommended, however, because you don’t want to cut your calories down too low.  Good choices for replacements are vegetables and lean protein.  Increasing your water intake might be helpful too, because eating too many carbohydrates can cause fluid retention, which will is alleviated by drinking more water.

2) Have you cut calories too low?

If you are following a very restrictive diet, you may need to increase your caloric intake for a day or two to convince your body that it’s not starving.  But definitely don’t binge on a bunch of junk food to boost your calories.  Instead, continue eating the same foods you’ve been eating on your diet plan, but eat more of them.  Increase your servings of vegetables and fruit, eat some extra protein, add some healthy fat to your meals, eat an extra snack, etc.  If you increase your calorie intake slightly (perhaps 300-500 extra calories) and you see that you’ve lost a pound or two the next day, you probably just weren’t eating enough.

3) Are you eating enough fat?

Sometimes when people try to lose weight they end up restricting virtually ALL fat from their diets, which is not a good idea.  Your body needs fat – but it needs the right kind of fat.  Saturated fat and trans-fat are not good for you, but monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are very good for you and they may even help you lose weight more easily.  Try adding some extra virgin olive oil to your salads and vegetables; slice up an avocado on sandwiches and salads; eat more fish; or enjoy an ounce of nuts for a snack.  These are great sources of healthy fats that benefit your body in numerous ways and may bring about a pleasant change on the scale.

Sometimes a plateau can be caused by a stagnant workout routine, or by little “cheats” here and there.  If the three questions above don’t apply to you, take an honest look at your daily habits and determine if you’ve been doing something that could be holding you back. 

If you can’t see any reason at all for the plateau, the next step is to see your doctor to be sure there’s nothing medical interfering with your weight loss.————————————————–
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Many weight loss plans can’t help but make you feel bad in one way or another.  Either you’re restricting your food intake so severely that you feel hungry all the time, or you’re cutting out all of the foods you love so you feel deprived.  Is there a way to lose weight and feel good at the same time? 

Read on for easy ways to lose weight and enjoy every minute of it:

#1 – Eat Foods You Love

Diets and weight loss plans don’t have to be boring and predictable.  You can easily find nutritious, low-calorie foods that tantalize your taste buds and satisfy you emotionally too.  Experiment with various kinds of fruit, vegetables, salad combinations, casseroles, soups and stews, breads and rolls, interesting side dishes, and snacks.  When you take time to look around in your supermarket, you open up a whole new world of culinary delights.

Besides finding delicious low-calorie foods to enjoy, you can also make room for a little indulgence with foods that maybe aren’t so low-calorie.  Just eat them in moderation and only once in awhile.  Eat a very small serving and savor every bite!  It’s amazing how satisfied you can feel after eating a sliver of rich cheesecake or pasta alfredo – just enough to enjoy the rich flavor without feeling the need to binge on it.

#2 – Enjoy the Journey

Rather than saving up your satisfaction for the day you see those magic numbers on the scale, be sure to enjoy the journey NOW.  Every day offers reasons to celebrate and be proud of yourself.  Your clothes get looser, you drop down a size or two, you have more energy . . . all of these exciting moments should be acknowledged and enjoyed.  Don’t be in such a hurry to rush to the finish line.  You’ll get there soon enough, but in the meantime feel good about where you are.

#3 – Focus on Wellness

Don’t make your weight loss all about the scale and clothing sizes.  Make it about treating your body well and doing what you can to improve your health.  The better you treat your body, the better your body is going to feel.  These physical changes will also translate into positive emotional changes like feeling happier, and mental changes like having better concentration.  Wellness is a big package of smaller components all working together harmoniously.

We’ve been brainwashed into thinking that losing weight has to be difficult and unpleasant, but nothing could be further from the truth.  Enjoy every minute of your journey to a slimmer you!————————————————–
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