Have you ever felt like your weight loss journey is stuck in a rut? You’ve been following a balanced diet and regular exercise plan, yet the scale isn’t budging no matter how hard you try. This is a common issue for many people living with obesity or who are overweight. If this sounds like you, read on to learn more about why unexplained weight loss plateaus happen and what you can do to break through them. The Role of Calorie Deficits The most common reason for an unexplained plateau in weight loss is simply that your body has adjusted to the calorie deficit you’re creating by eating fewer calories than you use in daily activities. When your body doesn’t get enough energy from food, it begins to conserve energy by slowing down its metabolism. That means that even if you’re eating less, your body is using fewer calories than it did when you first started your diet and exercise program. To avoid this issue, some experts suggest creating a larger calorie deficit—eating even fewer calories than before—to kickstart your metabolism again. However, this is not recommended as it could be dangerous to your health. Instead, consider increasing the intensity of your workouts or adding new exercises into your routine to burn more calories and increase muscle mass for better results over time. Accounting for Hidden Calories Another possible cause of an unexplained plateau in weight loss could be hidden calories that aren’t being accounted for in your diet. Even if you think you have a handle on the number of calories you eat each day, there may still be other sources of hidden calories that are contributing to weight gain or preventing further weight loss progress. Common sources of hidden calories include dressings and sauces used while cooking, added sugars in beverages such as coffee or tea, condiments like ketchup or mayonnaise, snack foods such as chips or cookies, and processed foods such as fast food burgers or frozen dinners. Unexplained weight loss plateaus can be frustrating but don’t give up hope! There are several possible causes behind why the scale isn’t moving including having created an effective calorie deficit for too long or consuming hidden sources of extra calories without realising it. To break out of a plateau, focus on making small adjustments to your current diet and exercise routine such as increasing the intensity of workouts or cutting back on added sugars and processed foods from meals and snacks. With dedication and patience, success will come!
November 28
Understanding Unexplained Weight Loss Plateaus
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