's motd Tues May 27, 2008 - Plateaus

[Guest guest]

THE WEIGHT-LOSS HAS STOPPED!

Tuesday, 27 May 2008

You're doing great! You're measuring your portions and you're only choosing the very healthiest of foods. You have a calendar in your kitchen and in every cubicle, you've filled in the workout you have planned for that day.

You've been walking at least 20 minutes during your lunch breaks. You've been drinking your water. Gosh, you've just been doing everything right. Soon, you've lost four pounds, then 12 and later 36 pounds are gone! It's gotten so, these days, that you just love to hop on the scale! Because you know, since you're doing everything right, you're chiseling those pounds right off your body. You're looking and feeling good. Then suddenly, almost from out of nowhere...it happens!You get on that scale, like you always do only, this time, the numbers have not moved...at all. Your weight has stayed the same for your last few weigh-ins. Oh, no!Naturally, you begin to freak out a little! You remember all of the healthy meals you've eaten and all of the sweat that has poured down your brow. You remember keeping that fresh glass of water sitting on your desk at work all the time. You remember all of the healthy salads and lean chicken breasts you've eaten. And then the questions in your head begin...Why is this happening to you?

But wait! Nowhere is it written that you will loose weight every single week. What you are experiencing now is called a plateau. I can guess why you are on a plateau but you and I can never really know why they happen. I've read all kinds of reasons and, in my opinion, these plateaus just happen on your weight-loss journey. Now something happens to a lot of people when they reach a plateau on the way to their weight-loss goals. They begin thinking that they just have to do something different. They think that maybe they need to cut down on their calories or eat no carbs or fats for a week. Or maybe they should exercise an extra 20-30 minutes each day to burn more calories. They think of all the things they can do to step up their weight-loss.And when others reach a plateau, they may get so upset with themselves that they just want to give up. They say things to themselves like, "Well, maybe my body has lost enough weight and it just doesn't want to lose anymore!" Now you don't believe that for a minute, do you?

Who knows? Maybe it's because of a full moon. Or maybe the planets aren't aligned just right. Yes, I'm kidding with all that but I'm not kidding when I tell you this: You shouldn't do anything different from what you did to lose the pounds you've lost in the first place!What you need to do is add a little patience to the mix. You need to continue doing your very best. And if you do, if you keep the fight going then you will break through that plateau. Hey, I've been on many plateaus and I've made my mistakes in trying to break through them. Don't you make yours! Like I said, just keep fighting! If you do, you'll get that breakthrough you're looking for and begin losing weight again. Now I'll be honest with you. You may get to another plateau as you continue the journey to the new you. But don't worry and don't be in a hurry. Listen to your heart and your body. Your body may have just needed a little break. But if you don't change the plan, you'll get another break...by breaking through that plateau!Love,