Weight Loss Plateau: Why Most Diets Work At First and Then Fail

So you want to lose weight? The issue is not can you, for you can. The issue is how, and how effectively and easily.

I agree there are probably countless quick fix programmes around that may work for a few, but how many can you trust? Bear in mind that amongst these quick fixes there are genuine weight loss programmes that with the right attitude will keep you fit, trim and healthy.

My aim is a series of articles explaining reasons for weight gain and ways to lose it, and keep it lost, naturally.

You may try, lose some, then, it comes back with a rage. There are reasons why weight loss programmes fail. Knowing a bit about the nature of our body can help understand these reasons.  

When it comes to starting a new diet most people manage to lose weight for the first few weeks. They rapidly shed some pounds and think they've finally found their ultimate diet. Unfortunately, as so many looking to lose weight have found out, this is generally a temporary thing. Within a few weeks of starting a new diet most people will stop losing the weight they initially did.

The answer to this question is that you most probably have hit a "weight loss plateau". This usually occurs because your body has become used to the diet program you have begun. It’s a part of our nature. In our prehistory what would happen if we kept losing weight because we couldn’t find food? An energy balance is needed to survive.

Many of the diets are created to provide you with an initial hit that shocks your body with something new. Because this is new you're body will start burning fat in order to sustain its normal levels. Whilst this is great at first within a few weeks your body will have become accustomed to the new diet program and is no longer shocked into burning calories. This is what makes so many people give up diets so very quickly.

So how do you combat this weight loss plateau?

Forget counting calories. So many people begin a diet and do nothing but count the calories. They think that if they eat less calories they'll lose weight, which they will at first, until, the body becomes used to it. But with low calories your metabolic rate has no real reason to increase itself. So if it is at a low point because of such low calorie consumption it won't burn fat.

In order to burn fat successfully and fight plateaus you need to create a high metabolic rate. The easiest way to do that is to fuel it throughout the day. You can do this by eating small, regular means rather than the normal three of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most people fill themselves at these intervals and that does not do their body any favours.

Focus on eating healthy foods regularly, with small snacks every three hours. These must be healthy though! Eating burgers and chips is no good. Asians eat the odd burger, but mostly we have regular healthy food and we are slim.

On top of eating regularly and healthily exercise will also help you in your quest for weight loss by raising your metabolic rate. If you combine a good, steady diet with regular exercise you will be able to lose weight. A brisk walk or enjoyable bike ride a few times a week will make the world of difference to your weight loss goals.

Forget those diets that say you can lose weight without doing any exercise whatsoever. They might work for a little while. But then you will hit the weight loss plateau and give up or try another diet. Again it may work for a few weeks as your body is "shocked" with the new diet but in the long term it will fail.

Make sure you don't become disheartened by your own weight loss plateau. You now understand why it happens, and how to avoid it!