Plateaus can be one of the most frustrating aspects of any weight loss journey. You feel like you’re doing everything right and the scale doesn’t budge. Fortunately, there’s always a reason why this happens we just need to figure it out and then attack the issue.
So what are some of the reasons we plateau and how do we fix it?
1. Your daily step count is too low
In today’s current work environment we spend a lot of time sitting in front of a computer or commuting in our cars. This leads to a low step count for the day and thus burning less calories than we usually would. An easy way to combat this is to add a daily 30 minute walk first thing in the morning, at lunch time, or in the evening. We suggest aiming for 10k steps daily.
2. You’re underestimating how much you’re eating
If you’re not losing weight, 90% of the time, it comes down to eating too many calories or not burning enough. Sometimes you may think you’re doing everything right but there could be a certain snack, condiment, or takeout meal that has more calories than you think. These can add up and put a stop to any weight loss. What’s the solution? Track your food intake for a few weeks and see if you’re actually in a caloric deficit or not.
3. Training intensity is too low
If you were losing weight and then stopped, it’s because your body has now reached a point where you need to increase the calorie deficit in order to keep losing weight.
One way to do this is to focus on increasing training intensity. This can mean trying to go slightly heavier on your lifts, it can mean increasing the length or speed of your runs, or it can mean resting less between sets. However you decide to increase intensity just know it should be a little more difficult. This will lead to greater calorie burn from your training and faster weight loss!
Summary
Plateaus are a normal part of weight loss. Don’t ever let it discourage you from continuing towards your goal. Identify the cause and fix it! Sometimes small tweaks like going for an extra daily walk or skipping a snack are all you need to keep progressing.
One feature of our meal delivery company is that you get access to a nutrition coach who will set up your calorie needs, makes sure the meals you receive fit those needs, and can help you identity any time you hit plateaus.
Interested in learning more about our plans check out our different options here: Plans