Weight Loss Articles & Resources
Articles: Why Have I Stopped Losing Weight?
Unlike other activities in life that get easier with more time, practice and commitment, losing weight becomes more difficult.One of the most frustrating aspects of weight loss is that our body seems to defy our attempts to make it healthier!
There are several reasons weight loss slows down or even stops:
- It is a natural, inbuilt defense mechanism of the body against what is interprets as a famine. Our metabolic rate and energy consumption slows.
For much of the existence of human kind, food supply was uncertain and erratic. (It still is for many people). This ability of the body to conserve energy is a protective mechanism to keep us going until the next period of plenty. We are ill prepared for the cheap, tasty, easily available food that we in developed countries enjoy. - As your body weight declines, its energy requirements go down as well. It takes less to drive a sedan than a truck.
How do I resume weight loss?
In time, your body will adjust to the new weight and you will be able to resume weight loss.- As difficult as this may seem, be patient. Allow your body time to adjust. Remember, this is a long-term plan and weight loss will resume.
- Increase exercise to raise your metabolic rate.
- Recalculate your kilojoule needs.
- Do not reduce calories further, unless this is indicated by your new calculations, as this will re-enforce the bodies 'starvation mode'
- Seek support. You are vulnerable to giving up the diet.
