Having trouble with those last few pounds? Scale stuck on the same number? Perhaps you’ve hit a plateau. It’s a common occurrence that dieter’s encounter. Here’s a checklist for you. See if one of these suggestions will work for you.
1. Get seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Lack of sleep may cause cravings.
2. Add more protein to your diet.
3. Limit caffeinated beverages and alcohol. The body burns alcohol for fuel instead of burning fat.
4. Limit salt. This is a good idea if your body retains fluid.
5. Weigh yourself less. There are many reasons why those numbers aren’t where you would like them to be. For now, step away from the scale. Don’t obsess about the numbers; approach this from another angle. See how many inches you have lost. Is your body firmer? Think about how well your clothes fit since you lost weight.
6. Mix up your exercise routine. It can get boring doing the same routine day after day. Well, if you have adapted to your routine so has your body. It may not want to respond to it anymore. Aerobics, weight training, hiking, swimming, tennis, pick something different. Be creative. All you need is 30 minutes of moderate physical activity.
7. Reevaluate your meals. Keep a journal to track what you’re eating. You may need to revamp your diet to jolt your metabolism.
8. Relax. The body releases cortisol when you’re stressed which means you’re storing fat. Overproduction of cortisol causes weight gain around the waist and abdomen.
9. Listen to your body. If you have done absolutely everything you can think of, including ruling out medical conditions, and you’ve checked off all of the above, your body could be telling you that those last few pounds look good on you. Be proud of the weight you’ve lost and kept off.