Hit a Road Block in Weight-loss?

The Top 10 Ways to Get Your Groove Back

I know…So you have been cruising along on your new weight loss plan and everyone has taken notice. Those jeans that you couldn’t button months ago are now the ones that you sport when you want to look hot. You just can’t stop looking at yourself in the mirror. And then the unexpected happens. Nothing. That’s right, moving right along, watching the scale numbers go down, buying smaller sizes at the mall, then nothing. You hit the wall. The extremely uninvited standstill. But why? Studies show that when you cut calories, after a while your body readjusts to the new levels to conserve the caloric energy that it is still being offered. Which in turn, means that you hit the dreaded weight-loss plateau. With a few changes and some determination (well, you’ve gotten this far so we now you’ve got that part down) you can turn your halt into a great opportunity for yet another new beginning.

#1-Don’t Set Yourself Up For Failure

You gotta focus on success and that said I mean realistic success. Overall, it is great to strive for the clouds, but when you are kickstarting your weight loss program, it is better to put reasonable timelines on your weight and fitness goals. Do not think that you are going to lose 20 pounds in the next two weeks so tha you can look great for your class reunion. Do not think you are going to lose 10 pounds before that date on Friday night. These ideas are just self-sabotage. I know you probably saw your favorite celebrity on the cover of one of those trashy magazines and were amazed ad excited about her “magical transformation”. But believe me none of those transformations are ever magical. There are just a few explanations for that rapid weight-loss- some that could include Photoshop, illegal substances or vomiting. A good rule of thumb is that it is entirely plausible to lose about a pound a week (healthily). With this sort of goal that can be fairly accomplished, you can feel great about yourself after achieving it, and strive even harder fr the next week to come.

#2-Do Not Use That Four-Letter Word-DIET

If you are always thinking in negative terms, it is more difficult to achieve your goals. Basically, the concept of “dieting” focuses on lack and deprivation. Instead think of weight management and weight loss in terms of lifestyle, as in making a positive and healthy lifestyle change for your health not living a short fix-it period of time when you don’t eat anything you want. If you crave ice cream, maybe have one bite of a light version of your favorite flavor. It is the pint that really got us in trouble. Remember, your new lifestyle is about moderation. #3-Enjoy Baby Bites Going back to #2, if you feel an ice cream attack coming on, take a bite. If you must have a couple tortilla chips, do it. Just indulge wisely, don’t go crazy and work a little harder on that treadmill next time. It is about the relationship you have with yourself-give and take (if you give a yoursef a lil’ something, you gotta take a little something from yourself later). No one ever said that being hot didn’t require some sacrifice. #4-Let’s Be Honest Food JournalIt is quite common to forget about that extra half a bag of pretzels that you had mid-morning when you were scrambling to make your work deadline. People generally underestimate how much they actually eat! By writing everything and I mean EVERYTHING down, you can see where your problems areas are and adjust accordingly. If snacks are your issue, then the Let’s be Honest Journal will reveal this “secret” to you.

#5-EAT

For goodness sakes…The whole celebrity diet of anorexia isn’t good for anybody. When you wait too long between meals, your metabolism slows, your blood-sugar drops, and you are more prone to make a VERY bad food choice. So hours before you reach for that Big Mac, make sure that you have fruit, veggies or cottage cheese ready to go.

#6-Drink it in

The water that is! The old rule 8 glasses a day still applies…This assists not ony in flushing out toxins but also moves excess salts found in so many foods these days through which can cause bloating and make you feel like you are not reaching your fitness goals. #7-Calcium is Your FriendCalcium has actually been proven to assist the body in burning fat faster. What great news! So by substituting some of your snack items with low-fat dairy products such as low-fat milk and yogurt you can actually reduce your body fat. #8-Sometimes Fat is Not a Dirty Word

Studies have shown that people on moderate fat eating plans are actually more succesful since fat makes you feel more satisfied and in turn, gives you the queue to stop eating. If you are too strict with your fat intake, there is a greater tendency to eat too much in the quest of the feeling for fullness.

#9-Start Off With Fiber and Dare I Say Some Carbs?

Something like a whole-grain, high-fiber oatmeal is a great breakfast to start the day. The fiber will make you feel full and the carbs give you a great even source of energy and stave off that mid-morning hunger for a little bit longer (hence keeping you away from that naughty vending machine). #10-Hang Up the HoochI know, not the most exciting news. Alcohol has tons of empty calories and goes down all too easily. What’s worse is that once you’ve had one, it is all too easy to have the second or the third. Alcohol lowers judgement which can lead to unfortunate binge-eating of deep-fried Twinkies at the fair or late-night swings by fast-food drive-thrus in search of salty fries. If you must imbibe, try to stick to red wine which has fewer calories that white or mixed drinks and at least has the controversial option of being “good for your heart?”

For more great information on fitness, nutrition, and how you can become the best version of yourself with the help of a Personal Trainer visit the Orange County Personal Training page