Who hasn’t stepped onto the weighing scale full of confidence only to find the needle or digital readout has stopped moving in the right direction?
It’s a frustrating experience, but it’s important to realize that plateaus are common and certainly not a reason to give up your healthy eating habits.
Here are seven ways you can get the results you want and keep the scale tipping in your favor.
1. Don’t Let The Scale Have A Hold On You
Are you weighing yourself every morning? Do you obsess over the number on the scale constantly and let that number affect you for the rest of the day?
Try to weigh yourself no more than once a week and at the same time each week. If you are really feeling brave, you might want to throw out the scales completely and let your body tell you what’s what.
2. Stop Measuring Yourself In Numbers
Many physicians will agree that the number on the scale is not a very complete metric. The same applies to any other metric number, such as your Body Mass Index (BMI). There are so many other measurements that are brought into play when it comes to being fit and healthy, and yet weight and BMI are often the ones we think about changing the most.
Focus on other areas of your weight loss plan such as your cholesterol coming down or your belly fat reducing. Measure yourself in inches, build that lean muscle and try on those smaller clothes. These are milestones that are really worthy of a celebration.
3. Start Some New Habits
Instead of breaking old habits, why not try crowding them out with some healthy new ones? If you love ice cream, try frozen yogurt instead. If you like to have a glass of wine in the evening, try topping it up with some soda water to make a long drink.
By changing your mindset and slowly adapting to a new healthy eating regime, you’ll stay motivated and find that those old habits are a thing of the past in no time.
4. Keep A Food Diary
By keeping a food diary, you can track everything that goes into your mouth – yes, even the kid’s leftovers and that tiny bite of birthday cake you had in the office. Everything counts, and by tracking it in a food diary you can really keep tabs on your calorie intake.
Those little extras could be all that is keeping that scale needle from shifting down a notch.
5. Ditch The Junk
Temptation could also be sabotaging your weight loss goals. By organizing your kitchen cupboards and fridge and ditching those rogue junk foods, you will be taking control and giving yourself a greater chance of success.
Tidy, organized cupboards can also instill a sense of clarity and calm that will help you to stay on track.
6. Stop Thinking You Are An A “Diet”
It’s impossible to eat perfectly everyday or stick to your exercise plan religiously. It’s also important not to stress about or to dwell on your diet too much. When you focus on a problem too much, it can cause you to lose focus or want to eradicate the problem from your life completely.
These are new habits you are bringing into your life rather than a temporary fix, so embrace them and stop banging your head against a wall.
If you plateau, throw in some extra exercise or have a fasting day. If you want to have a day off, have it. You are in control.
7. Stop The Cycle Of Negative Thinking
It can be disappointing when you don’t see the number you expected on the scale, but think about what that number really means. If you are feeling great, fitting into clothes you haven’t worn in years and making big changes in your life, that’s really all that matters.
The cycle of negative thinking can be dangerous and can cause you to binge eat, become depressed and give up completely.
Embrace the scale and understand it won’t always say what you want, or throw out the scales completely and let your body do the talking!
