How to Stay Motivated When Weight Loss Plateau

How do you keep motivated when weight loss plateaus? Your metabolism slows down after a while, or your body adjusts to a new set point. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to keep the momentum going. Reward yourself for the changes you've made. And most of all, stay positive. Your body is a wonderful machine, and you shouldn't give up! Read on to learn how to make the most of it.

Diet slows metabolism

Weight loss plateaus can happen when you're on a diet and have not seen much progress. Your body's metabolism slows down and it stops burning fat. You may want to try a different diet to lose weight. A diet that reduces calories will cause you to feel hungry more often, which will result in overeating. It's also important to monitor your calories. This way, you can see if you're eating too much.

The set point theory states that your body has a specific range of weight that it's comfortable at. If you reach that limit, your metabolism slows down to prevent further weight loss. Many people believe that you can push this set point up with exercise or by increasing activity levels. However, this theory is not completely clear. In most cases, a diet slows down your metabolism because you're consuming fewer calories than you burn.

Body adapts to a new set point

When weight loss reaches a plateau, your body regains its former weight. However, it does not automatically mean that your body has reached its set point. The new set point may be due to an altered metabolism or natural healthy weight. Regardless of the reason, it is important to learn how to read your body's signals. There are a few key steps to overcome weight loss plateaus.

Essentially, a body has a default weight, a number that is most comfortable for the individual. Hence, weight loss plateaus are a result of the body adjusting to a new set point. When dieting, your body will adapt to a new weight and will begin to defend that weight in order to avoid starvation. However, this adaptation can cause your body to retain its initial weight.

Reward yourself

If your weight loss program has plateaued, the first thing to do is to determine what has caused it. Review your food and workout records and look for a loosening of the rules. This could have something to do with the amount of weight you're losing. Try cutting back on your calories to avoid feeling hungry all the time or overeating. A massage could help ease the stress of dieting. Alternatively, you could try a new exercise routine.

Reward yourself for making progress. When you reach a certain weight, you'll likely want to reward yourself. But don't go overboard! If you're too ambitious, it'll be tempting to overindulge and revert to old eating habits. Instead, try a new workout, a different snack, or a treat that makes you feel good. But make sure to keep these treats within 10% of your daily calorie intake.