Weight Loss ExerciseA Fresh Perspective on Fitness PlateausYou've been working hard to lose weight and are seeing results. You've changed your diet so that you're taking in fewer calories, and you're exercising regularly so that you're burning more calories than you take in. The good news is: it's been working! The bad news is: all of a sudden your progress seems to have come to a stop. What's going on? This weight loss rut, or plateau, is common among people trying to lose weight, and it can be frustrating to feel like you're continuing to work hard but no longer seeing results. What's going on, according to experts, is that your body is beginning to adapt to your new lifestyle. Your body is designed to adapt to changes, and over the course of time it will begin to expect these higher levels of physical activity and fewer calories. What you've been doing up to this point is now your body's new normal, and it will be necessary to continue your current routine in order to maintain your current weight. This reality can be frustrating if you haven't yet reached your goal weight. In order to break the plateau and continue to lose weight, you'll need to challenge your body's new calorie and exercise requirements. That means reducing your calorie intake further or burning more calories. You may want to try increasing the intensity of your workouts or working out for longer. If you're not working out every day, try adding another workout to your week. |