Breaking Through a Weight Loss Plateau

There are several reasons why your weight can hit a plateau, including:

• Fast weight loss. Losing weight too quickly causes your metabolism (the rate at which your body burns calories) to slow down because your body senses it is starving.
• Losing muscle. When you lose weight, up to 25% can come from muscle tissue. Losing muscle can hinder weight loss because muscle is metabolically active tissue that burns calories and helps maintain your metabolism.
• Decreasing your physical activity and/or increasing your caloric intake.
• Reaching your body's particular set point -- the weight and metabolic rate your body is genetically programmed to be. Once you reach that point, it's more difficult to lose weight and even if you do, you're likely to regain it.
• Other health factors, including thyroid problems; medications; quitting smoking; menopause; and pregnancy.

The bottom line to losing weight is consuming fewer calories than you expend. Studies show that people almost always underestimate how many calories they're eating. So if you're struggling with weight loss, you're still exercising, and you've ruled out any of the above reasons for weight plateaus, look at your calorie intake or change your exercise routine.