WLWed: Dealing With Plateaus

Last week's post was all about pushing through even though with your weight loss efforts when the scale isn't changing.  But how do you do that?  What are some practical ways you can push through your weight loss plateau and make it to your goal?  What has worked for you in the past?  Or what are you trying now?  I hope you'll join me next week as we discuss this important topic!

In my journey to lose 60 pounds, I faced several plateaus along the way.  Sometimes they were my fault.  I just wasn't eating as well as I should or exercising as much as I should.  Other times the scale just didn't budge no matter how hard I tried.

I don't have any scientific proof to back up my theory on plateaus, but I think that your body gets used to what you are doing to lose weight.  So what you are doing is no longer as effective in losing weight.  When that happens, it's time to shake things up a bit. 

One of the first plateaus I hit (that I remember) was around 25 pounds.  To be fair, this one was mostly my fault.  I wasn't tracking everything I ate and I wasn't exercising as much as I should.  But it was winter and holiday time.  So that was my excuse.

After the holiday, I decided to get serious again.  I also wasn't feeling very well at the time.  My acid reflux was bothering me terribly.  I read somewhere that wheat could be a cause.  So for a couple of weeks, I cut out as many carbs as possible. 

Cutting out carbs helped get me over that hump.  I'm not going to say it was easy.  But it was necessary.  Not only did I lose extra weight, but I also felt better.  When I felt it was appropriate, I slowly started added carbs back into my diet without wrecking my weight loss goals…or my health.

Another time, I added in extra exercise.  As a matter of fact, every time I have changed my workout plan (for the better), I have increased my weight loss totals.  The first time was when I started doing Pilates.  I was already walking 3-4 times a week with my family.  Adding in the strength training gave my weight loss numbers a real boost.

The same thing happened when I started running.  Before that I would average maybe a pound to a pound and a half weight loss each week.  Starting a running regimen increased those numbers to 2 to 3 pounds a week helping me reach my goal faster.  To be honest…if I had known running would increase my weight loss numbers that much, I would have started sooner. 

Just remember….

Change is a good thing.

Especially when it comes to your weight loss goals. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Hebrews 12:1

How are you doing with your weight loss goals my friend?  Why don't you join us for Weight Loss Wednesday and share?  Remember…we're all in this together!

It's easy.  Write a blog post about this week's topic and link back to this post.  Then register with Mr. Linky below.  Please know, though, that I reserve the right to delete any link that does not conform to the spirit of Weight Loss Wednesday.  You can also join us on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #wlwed. 

Also please remember to visit some of the other participants as well.  It's very encouraging to know you are not alone in this journey.

Since summer is coming to an end, let's talk about it next week.  Anytime there is a change in seasons or routines, it can have a negative effect on your weight loss goals.  So how can you plan to not let this happen?  How will you stay on plan through the change?  Or what things to you plan to do differently?  I hope to see you then!

In the meantime, remember….

Quitting is not an option!