How do I get past a (*&$#!) Plateau?

© 2000 Scott "Q" Marcus, THINspirational Speaker

First of all, congrats on the weight loss. I hope you have rewarded yourself for that (and are now past the plateau). The only suggestions I have are:

1) Understand plateaus are part of the process. Whether "self inflicted" or due to your body adjusting to weight loss you have already made, weight loss will stop. I have one woman in one of my meetings who told me that her doctor said that the average person will go through 14 plateaus! Each time you hit one, just check it off. You're closer to where you want to be.

2) Realize that this is a process, not a destination. If you understand that it doesn't matter if you hit plateaus because it's about being healthy, not skinny. Your weight will "get there" if you continue to take care of yourself and eat in a healthy fashion. The program works. Just be patient. We all want to "get there" but "there" doesn't do anything for us; there will be another "there" right after the first "there."

3) Finally, if you're stuck and you've cut your point total down, it could be that you're eating too FEW points. Really! If you don't get enough to eat, your body slows down your metabolism to make what you are getting last longer. Vary your points. Try new foods. Drink more water. Take a look at your habits; if you're getting sloppy (be honest), tighten up.

Most importantly, don't give up! I cannot guarantee that if you keep going, you'll lose weight. I can almost guarantee that if you don't go, you won't.

Treat yourself special.

To check out a related advice column, click here: (15 Things to Do To Lose Weight) or click here: (It Takes Too Long)   

 For comments and questions: ScottQ@THINspiration.com

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