Struggling with Stubborn Belly Fat That Just Won’t Go Away?
You’ve tried eating healthy. You’ve tried working out.
Yet those same problem areas remain… and it’s frustrating.
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weight loss plateaus can be frustrating. After weeks or months of steady progress, you suddenly notice that despite all your efforts, the scale just won’t budge. Many people will encounter this situation during the weight loss process. As your body adjusts to your eating and exercise habits, a plateau occurs, making further weight loss more difficult. But don’t worry—there are ways to overcome this obstacle.
In this guide, we’ll explore the reasons behind weight loss plateaus and provide practical tips to help you break through them and continue your journey toward better health.
1. Learn about the weight loss platform
Before we delve into strategies for overcoming plateaus, it’s important to understand why plateaus occur. Here are some common reasons:
metabolic adaptation
When you lose weight, your body’s metabolism slows down because your body requires fewer calories to maintain your smaller size. This is called metabolic adaptation. Therefore, the calories you burn during the day are now less effective in creating the calorie deficit necessary for sustained weight loss.
muscle mass loss
When you lose fat, you may also lose some muscle, especially if you don’t strength train. Muscle is metabolically active tissue, meaning it burns more calories at rest than fat. Losing muscle mass further slows down your metabolism, making weight loss more difficult.
eating habits
Over time, you may be increasing your calorie intake without realizing it, whether by increasing portion sizes or eating more calorie-dense foods. Even a small increase in daily calorie consumption can cause a plateau.
Movement lacks diversity
If you’ve been following the same exercise routine for a long time, your body may have adapted. This means you burn fewer calories during exercise than when you started.
2. Reevaluate your calorie intake
During weight loss, your calorie needs will change as you lose weight. What works when you gain 10 or 20 pounds may no longer work. To break through the plateau, you may need to adjust your caloric intake.
Recalculate your daily caloric needs
Use the calorie calculator to determine your new daily calorie needs based on your current weight, activity level, and goals. This will give you an updated goal of how many calories you should consume to create a deficit.
Monitor part size
Over time, portion sizes may gradually increase without you realizing it. Go back and measure your food and track your calorie intake to make sure you don’t accidentally overeat. Use a kitchen scale, measuring cups, or a calorie tracking app to help.
Watch out for hidden calories
Pay attention to the liquid calories in beverages such as juice, soda, alcohol, or premium coffee drinks. These may increase rapidly and may lead to a plateau. Also, be careful with sauces, dressings, and condiments as they are high in calories.
3. Change your exercise habits
If your exercise routine has become predictable, it’s time to change it up. Variety in exercise not only makes your workouts fun, it also challenges your body in new ways, helping you burn more calories and overcome plateaus.
Combined with strength training
Building muscle is one of the best ways to boost your metabolism and break through plateaus. Start incorporating strength training like weight lifting, bodyweight exercises (such as squats, push-ups), or resistance band exercises into your workout routine. Aim to strength train at least two to three times a week.
Try high-intensity interval training (HIIT)
HIIT involves short periods of intense exercise followed by a short recovery period. This is an effective way to burn more calories in less time. For example, sprint for 30 seconds, then walk for 1 minute, repeat for 20-30 minutes. HIIT has been shown to increase metabolic rate and promote fat loss.
Vary your cardio routine
If you’ve been doing the same form of aerobic exercise (such as running or biking) for months, your body may have adapted. Try different forms of aerobic exercise, such as swimming, rowing, dancing, or hiking, to challenge different muscles and burn more calories.
4. Increase non-exercise activities
Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) refers to the calories burned by daily activities such as walking, standing, cleaning and fidgeting. Increasing NEAT can help you break through your weight loss plateau without strenuous exercise.
Simple ways to increase NEAT
- Take the stairs Instead of an elevator.
- Walk more: Try parking farther from the entrance, walking to meetings, or taking short walks during breaks.
- stand up: Use a standing desk if possible, or take frequent standing breaks if you have a desk job.
- move around: Instead of sitting for long periods of time, take short breaks to stretch, pace, or do some easy activity.
5. Manage stress and sleep
Stress and lack of sleep can both contribute to weight loss plateaus. When you’re stressed or sleep-deprived, your body produces cortisol, a hormone that increases hunger and appetite, especially cravings for sugary and fatty foods. This will make it harder for you to stick to your calorie goals and will slow down your progress.
Prioritize quality sleep
Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Good sleep hygiene habits include:
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
- Limit screen time before bed.
- Create a relaxing bedtime routine.
- Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet.
Practice stress reduction techniques
Managing stress can help prevent overeating and emotional eating. Some stress relief techniques include:
- Meditate or take deep breaths: These can calm your mind and reduce stress.
- physical activity: Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and improve your mood.
- keep a diary: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you manage stress.
- spend time in nature: A walk in nature or just sitting outside can have a calming effect.
6. Consider “re-eating” or “dieting”
If you are in a chronic calorie deficit, your metabolism may slow down to conserve energy. In this case, a brief “refeed” or “diet break” may help reset your metabolism and free your body from calorie restriction.
What are supplies?
Refeeding involves increasing caloric intake (usually from carbohydrates) for a day or two. This can help replenish glycogen stores, improve exercise performance, and boost metabolism. Make sure the extra calories come from healthy, whole food sources and not junk food.
What is a diet break?
A diet break is an extended period of time (usually 1-2 weeks) where you eat only maintenance calories to allow your body and mind to rest from the diet. After resting, you can regain energy and motivation and return to a calorie deficit.
7. Be consistent and patient
Plateauing is a normal part of any weight loss journey and does not mean you have failed. Often, it’s just your body’s way of adapting to the changes you’re making. The key is to stay consistent, make small adjustments, and be patient.
Monitor non-scale wins
The number on the scale isn’t the only way to measure progress. Watch for other signs of improvement, such as:
- lost a few inches: Your body composition may change even if the scale doesn’t.
- Increased intensity: You might lift heavier weights or do more reps.
- Improve endurance: You can exercise longer or at a higher intensity.
- Better mood and energy: Feeling healthier and more energetic is a huge win.
Think long term
Losing weight is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s normal to experience ups and downs along the way. Instead of getting discouraged by temporary lulls, remind yourself of the positive changes you’ve made and the long-term goals you’re working towards.
in conclusion
weight loss plateaus are frustrating, but they’re also a sign that your body is adapting. By making small changes to your diet, exercise habits, and lifestyle, you can break through your plateaus and continue on the path to success. Whether it’s adjusting your calorie intake, incorporating strength training, or improving your sleep, every step brings you closer to your end goal. Be patient, stay consistent, and remember that progress takes time.
Table of contents
- 1. Learn about the weight loss platform
- metabolic adaptation
- muscle mass loss
- eating habits
- Movement lacks diversity
- 2. Reevaluate your calorie intake
- Recalculate your daily caloric needs
- Monitor part size
- Watch out for hidden calories
- 3. Change your exercise habits
- Combined with strength training
- Try high-intensity interval training (HIIT)
- Vary your cardio routine
- 4. Increase non-exercise activities
- Simple ways to increase NEAT
- 5. Manage stress and sleep
- Prioritize quality sleep
- Practice stress reduction techniques
- 6. Consider "re-eating" or "dieting"
- What are supplies?
- What is a diet break?
- 7. Be consistent and patient
- Monitor non-scale wins
- Think long term
- in conclusion
