You know the feeling: You sweat, you hunger, you resist, you sweat some more and then you step on the scale… and time seems to stop… blood drain from your face… you heart falls into your big toe… you’ve lost nothing! It’s not a pretty thing, in fact it can make the most dedicated woman of God yell at the Devil and reach for the triple chocolate ice cream (wrapped in a towel in the back of the freezer).
Trying to lose weight if you’re not a spring chicken is difficult enough without the dreaded “Weight Loss Plateau”. As a more “mature” woman you already have the odds stacked against you: Slower metabolism, juggling career and family life, truckloads of stress and haywire hormones! One more bump in the road can push you over the edge, and a weight loss plateau can supply exactly that bump.
So in all seriousness, it’s not funny! It can be discouraging at best and turn into full blown depression if it lingers. We all want to avoid that famous weight loss plateau, but the reality is that you will probably bump into it at one time or another, that is if you’re not a thriving nineteen year old (no offense to my younger readers)
A weight loss plateau is not picky either, it will pounce on the low-carb believers, the calorie counters, the all inclusive eaters, and even the hunger and fullness detectives. Hitting a weight loss plateau is a matter of “when” not so much “if”.
I did some research for us on this dreaded weight loss plateau. I’m sure it’s obvious by now that I hit a few myself. According to nutritionist and doctors alike, this is quite a natural and very normal process of “healthy” weight loss. We tend to be very diligent with our diets at first and in the beginning we also tend to lose a lot of water, making the initial weight loss seem huge. However, the great results might slow down as you continue on your plan. Even people who are on very effective programs or have gone through something as radical as weight loss surgery hits plateaus in their weight loss.
So by now you know that I do not recommend any kind of super restrictive diet, but if you’re following a healthy eating plan or meal replacement program (not any kind of fad diet) and your weight loss slows down, then it’s technically not a plateau but only a healthy way of losing. I know what you want to say “But it’s soooo discouraging!” I’m so sorry, but yes, you’re patience will be stretched, believe me I know, God has had my patience in a taffy puller many times before.
That said, if you’re honestly eating healthy, getting some exercise and still find yourself stuck at the same weight for months on end, you will be pleased to know that something can be done. I put together a checklist of possible reasons for your weight loss plateau. Please go have a look at this article if you are in this difficult spot right now. This list sure shook me out of my denial: I thought I ate good, one glass of water will do it, and walking the treadmill every day at a mild pace will keep my weight loss going. Sometimes it’s not even so much denial as just a plain case of “not knowing”.
Some plateaus have medical reasons behind them, but for most of us plateaus will come and go but only the consistent girls among us will make it. Don’t take my word for it, I’m just the messenger. Have a look at Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Please don’t give up dear girl friend, hang in there, I’m hanging with you!
Heleen
Click here for the complete article on my website, with a plateau check list for you: Weight-loss Plateau
Resources for You:
- God will I ever be Free? – Download free ebook
- 12 Week Online Program and Private Forum for Women Struggling with Food
- Heleen’s Blog – Read posts or “follow” this blog to be notified of new posts
 |
Please “like” my Facebook Page if you want to stay on top of updates and posts |
 |
Please follow me on Twitter |
 |
Please link with me if you have a professional profile on Linkedin |