Why Did I Stop Losing Weight?

You know the feeling. You start a diet and are losing pounds every week and then suddenly you are asking why did I stop losing weight? This is normal; almost every person on a diet reaches a plateau at some point. It seems that no matter what they try, the pounds absolutely refuse to drop and frustration sets in.

So what is the answer? Well some diets fail as we lose interest after a while. It seems like we have been on a diet forever and feel like we are missing out. The odd treat suddenly becomes a daily event and then we wonder why we are not losing weight. A great way to combat this is to have a food diary where you note everything that you eat. This way you cannot fool yourself in thinking you have eaten less than you actually consumed.

Another reason why we reach a plateau is that our metabolism rate settles down. When we are heavier our metabolism rate is faster i.e. the rate at which we burn energy is higher as we have to move heavy bodies around. But as we lose weight, we no longer need to consume as much energy; yet we are still eating the same amount of food. With less weight to carry around, your body needs fewer calories. Now dont reduce your food intake too drastically, as your brain will think you are starving and will tell you, "You need to eat right now". You just need to reduce your food intake slightly.

Lean muscle is more effective at burning calories so changing your workout may help. If you have been following an aerobics program you could try speed walking, running or rollerblading to build up the level of lean muscle in your body.

If you have been losing weight with a group of your friends you will find that they will have experienced similar problems too. You are not alone in facing the question of why have I stopped losing weight. Dont let this temporary setback make you fall off the diet wagon. Think of your weight loss journey as a marathon rather than a sprint. You will experience days when you eat more than you should, dont exercise enough or just feel fatter. Talk to your friends and take the support they offer. They will be turning to you in the coming months when they too experience problems.

If you really cant shift those last few pounds, go and speak to the weight specialist at your doctors office. They will measure you properly as your old weight loss target may not be appropriate; given your age and build. We tend to have a vision of what we would like to weigh but as it is often based on our teenage years; the majority of times that is not realistic.

A professional will give you an unbiased opinion having measured your body mass index. They will advise you on how best to lose any remaining pounds so that you no longer have to worry about answering why did I stop losing weight?