Dealing with Weight Loss Plateau
Plateauing—it’s the biggest fear of anyone trying to lose weight. The dreaded weight loss plateau is when you suddenly stop achieving results from your fitness efforts, no matter how hard you work. Even after months of hard work and dedication to your weight loss goals, you find yourself stuck at the same scale number. It’s time to break through that mental and physical roadblock and get yourself unstuck by trying these tips and tricks to keep your metabolism burning.
Eat the Right Foods
First and foremost, be sure your diet is a healthy one. If you continue to eat junk food and processed carbs, chances are, you won’t be losing weight. Aim to eat whole, natural foods that are high in protein and low in sugar, including lean meats, whole grain carbohydrates and lots of leafy greens.
In addition, make sure that you’re getting enough calories each day. When you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to eat enough to fuel your workouts and daily activities. Don’t be afraid to up your caloric intake slightly if you find that you’re not losing weight.
Change Up Your Workouts To Prevent A Weight Loss Plateau
Is your weight-loss plateauing? Are you stuck in what seems like an endless cycle of working out without seeing any changes in your performance levels or body composition? If so, it may be time to change up your workouts to get the maximum benefit from your efforts.
This is especially true if you’ve been stuck doing the same workout routine for weeks or months on end. Bodies are smart and they quickly adapt to the same motions and exercises over and over again. This means that you’re expending the same amount of energy and effort but with diminishing returns depending on how long you’ve been on the same routine.
Breaking up the monotony of your workout is not only recommended but necessary if you want to keep seeing results. It is important to learn new exercises, switch up your routine and vary the intensity at which you’re working out to continually challenge your body.
If you’re looking for ways to switch up your routine, here are a few ideas.
• Break out of your comfort zone and try a new type of workout like a spin class or HIIT (high-intensity interval training).
• Mix up your cardio routine. Mix running, cycling, rowing and other aerobic activities to keep your body and mind guessing.
• Try something strength-based. Weight lifting has many benefits from improved muscular strength and endurance, to increased metabolism and far more.
• Don’t just focus on working out. Incorporate yoga, Pilates and foam rolling activities into your plan to improve flexibility and mobility, strengthen stabilization muscles and build strength in different planes.
• Incorporate rest days into your routine in order to recover, rest and refuel.
• Track your fitness and nutrition closely to see how it’s evolving with your training.
Changing up your workouts doesn’t just force your body to adjust to an entirely new activity or routine, but it will also help keep you motivated and driven to continue your exercise regimen. A good rule of thumb is to change up your routine every 3-4 weeks, to keep your body guessing and give you the maximum benefit from your effort. When you shake up your workout routine, remember that smaller details such as varying sets, reps, rest time and the type of equipment used can all have an effect on your success.
Weight loss can be a challenge and it is easy to get stuck in a rut of doing the same exercises every day. Variety is essential for success, so don’t be afraid to switch up your workouts from time to time. Mixing in new activities and varied intensities can help prevent a weight-loss plateau and keep you on track to reach your fitness goals.
Conclusion
Getting through a weight loss plateau can be tough, but with the right mindset and plenty of hard work, you can break through the plateau and keep progressing towards your weight loss goal. Try to implement these tips and tricks into your routine, and you’ll be on your way to success.
