How To Crush Your Weight Loss Plateau Barrier

I’ve received a few emails on how to get past a weight loss plateau. I hesitated for a bit on writing about this topic, because I don’t have a problem with weight loss (I’ve always had the problem in reverse).

So, I deferred a couple of  questions to my sister, who has been doing an *amazing* job in her weight loss journey.

Q: How do you know when you’ve hit a weight loss plateau?

A: You’ve been successful at having the pounds glide off when all of a sudden you hit a brick-wall. You know you’ve hit that plateau because you’re doing everything you’re supposed to – following your diet regimen pretty much to a “T” and exercising like you should, but seeing no further results.

She told me this can be totally frustrating to the point where you feel like giving up.

Q: Why does a weight plateau happen?

A: Okay so here’s the deal – when you first embark on your weight loss journey many will see a quick shedding of those pounds.  Your body stores up glycogen, a form of glucose; simply put it’s a complex carbohydrate which gives your body fuel. Once your body gets depleted the weight loss process tends to shrivel up as well. Because you’ve lowered your intake of calories, your body starts to fight back by slowing back down your metabolism. This starvation response if you will, prevents your body from dropping any more pounds. It can also occur if you begin to lose muscle instead of body fat — you’re body goes on the defense.

Getting over the hurdle

Thankfully there are a few things you can do boost back up your weight loss efforts:

*Keep up with your diet plan or healthier eating plan.

*Don’t slack off with exercise.

*Keeping a food diary can be helpful or go digital with a food diary app like the Calorie Counter by MyNetDiary. The app is available for iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, and Android.

*Keep an eye on your calorie intake to make sure you’re getting the correct amount – if your calorie intake is higher for the day or week, then boost up your exercise. Likewise, if you’re calorie intake is lower, then cut out some exercise.

*Try interval training.

*Switch up your exercise routine – like with many things, your body can be accustomed to it, and say – yeah, I’ve had enough of that.  My sister for example, switched up her exercise routine by playing the heck out of the drums on Guitar Hero of all things! Now she’s addicted to it. Of course, she knows she still has to do other things still along with it – so she  still bike rides.

Whatever you do, don’t give up! All you need to do is switch things up a bit, and follow these easy weight loss plateau tips and you’ll be back on your way to a fabulous new you!

A special thanks to my sister Crista for chatting with me about this. Please share your thoughts with us below!

To your fit & sexy success,