When you’re trying to get in shape, the question isn’t whether or not you’ll hit a plateau, it’s when you will. A plateau simply means you have reached a state of equilibrium: the calories you’re consuming and the calories you’re burning are balanced.
Plateaus are inevitable, but before you throw in the towel check out these tips from Life Fitness on how to add one thing, change one thing and stop one thing to break free from your plateau.
- Add one thing. A plateau is your signal to do something different, so it’s time to try a new exercise routine. If you are a treadmill junkie, try cross-training and hop on an elliptical machine.
- Adding strength moves to your normal cardio routine or testing out sprint intervals twice a week could help shake things up. Try adding a boot camp or another class you’re curious about to your routine. New movements may jump start your calorie burn again.
- Change one thing. If the scale isn’t budging, your portions may be to blame. To beat your weight-loss plateau, perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate your food intake and try portion control.
Since portions can be so varying, it’s helpful to think in terms of servings, which are more precise. Check the Nutrition Facts panels on food packages to make sure you are eating just one serving. When dining out, try splitting your restaurant portions in two, and eat your meals on a salad plate to put serving size in perspective.
Stop one thing. Stop restarting. When everything doesn’t go as perfectly as you plan, keep going! Try to drop the ‘all or nothing’ mentality and make small changes day by day instead of resolving to be perfect. Stop the radical declarations and promises to lose weight, and pledge to be consistent in your healthy choices.
Try these three things and soon you will break free from your plateau and be on your way to your next level of success.
