What is a Weight Loss Plateau and Why Does It Happen?

MWLC Regional Manager Kami LaPerna says a weight loss plateau is when you’ve caught to your MWLC program however have not seen motion on the size in two weeks.

“It’s not a matter of if, it’s more a matter of when,” she says. “It’s different for everybody. A lot of times after you lose your first 10-12 pounds, you’ll hit a plateau. It could last a year or month at other programs. But at MWLC, if within two weeks there hasn’t been a movement, we will implement one of our meal plan changes because we don’t want someone to be stuck with that.”

This is one of the instances that journaling proves key as a result of Kami says she will skim a affected person’s food journal and rapidly know whether or not they’ve actually hit a plateau or have fallen off monitor a bit with their program. She notes that some sufferers assume they hit a plateau, however journaling reveals that they could really be eating off plan, or thrown off their healthy habits by holidays and particular occasions.

“By tracking what you eat and when, we can at a glance make quick changes if we need to,” she says. 

If your MWLC crew does set up that you just’ve been following your program and have actually hit a weight loss plateau, don’t panic.

“A weight loss plateau is frustrating but common as well,” Kami says. “That’s what patients need to understand. It’s not something they’re doing wrong; it’s that they’re doing all the right things and that’s how they got to the plateau.”

She says that you’ll possible see vital weight loss within the first weeks of your program, however as your physique will get used to your new behaviors and habits, together with eating a more healthy, decrease calorie diet, it’ll stop providing you with outcomes. This can occur more than as soon as over the course of your weight loss journey.

“That’s when I always say we need to shock your system again.” Kami says.

How to Overcome a Weight Loss Plateau

MWLC packages are customized constructed round a affected person’s distinctive circumstances and objectives. Kami says this implies they’re created to permit room for change when these plateaus happen. Depending on which program you’re on, there are meal plan adjustments and modifications to jumpstart your metabolism and break via the burden loss plateaus. This would possibly imply reducing your calorie consumption for a couple days, adjusting your program total or suggesting exercise adjustments, amongst different choices.

“During a plateau, we focus on whether we can increase your activity, if you drink enough water, and if you are getting enough sleep at night. Tracking and journals are such essential tools when it comes to weight loss because it paints a picture. We can tell when and what you’re consuming and what changes we can make. 

Sometimes, all it takes are simple changes.

“People often eat the same thing over and over. That might be convenient for weight loss, but that can cause a weight loss plateau as well because your body is used to eating the same thing,” Kami says. “Something as simple as changing up the types of food you’re eating can break the plateau.”

She provides that if you’re somebody who goes for walks usually, even altering your route could make a distinction.

“It’s like tricking your brain into knowing you’re doing new things.”

Kami says it’s essential to remain constructive once you hit a plateau.  

“We can be so negative and hard on ourselves,” she says. “But your body truly responds to what you’re saying and how you’re thinking about yourself, so use positive words and affirmations. I don’t want people to give up on their long-term goals.”

She additionally cautions towards getting discouraged by a weight loss plateau and considering that’s simply the burden your physique needs to be.  

“I don’t want people to do that,” she says. “We remind them that your body has gotten comfortable and that’s where we need to help.” 

Kami and the remaining of the MWLC clinic workers are able to help with motivation and options that may work greatest for you. And whereas checking in on the size is an important half of your program, she stresses that it’s not the one element to weight loss success. 

“You will not walk around with a scale. You will walk around in your skin and clothing. Focus on things like how much better you feel, how much better your clothes are fitting, how you’re sleeping at night. Don’t narrow your weight loss success to a number on a scale because that can be very defeating.”

If you’re able to jumpstart your weight loss journey with a educated crew that may help you obtain your objectives and break via any challenges, schedule your free session with Medical Weight Loss Clinic now at MWLC.com.