8 Ways to Inspire Others

Is Your Weight-Loss Stalled?

You've done everything right

You have been working so hard at your new weight loss plan. So why aren’t the numbers on the scale moving? Let’s take a look at some reasons your weight loss may have stalled out.

Too much of a good thing

Maybe the problem is having too much of a good thing. If you eat mostly from the green, low-glycemic list you are avoiding the insulin response that tells your body to store fat. 

We aren’t focusing on calories, but they do count.

Eating too much of the meat, nuts, and dairy list and not enough from the vegetables may be giving you too many calories, which will add up to stored fuel -- fat, in other words. Try eating more fruits and vegetables and less from the other lists, and keep a closer eye on the calorie numbers, at least for a while.

Once you have the hang of it, you won’t need to count so carefully.

When are you eating?

It could be a matter of WHEN rather than WHAT you eat. Eating too late at night doesn’t give your body time to burn them off. Saving up your calories and having them all at one time doesn’t work, either. You give your autopilot the wrong message. He thinks you are starving and goes into “save” mode. Then when you do eat, he sends the message, “Famine is over. Refuel and pack in as much as possible.”  Giving your body the wrong message will make your weight loss come to a standstill.

What about exercise?

Are you getting the exercise you need to keep the “good guy” hormone, glucagon, flowing? Glucagon tells your body to burn the fat, use up the fuel. Move more and the glucagon will dominate over the “save the fat” hormone, insulin. (Quite a switch -- spending=good, saving=bad!) The step program will help you keep moving painlessly.

Try adding extra steps by walking while you are on the phone and walking around every commercial break on television. Start taking walks, making them gradually longer. The more you move, the sooner you will see the numbers on the scale move.

Are you drinking water?

It could be something as simple as a lack of water. When you don’t have enough of this vital lubricant your body will hang on to what you do have. Your autopilot thinks you are traveling through a desert and is trying to keep you alive by preserving the water as long as possible. That means water weight for you. It’s an easy fix. Drink more water. You may have a pleasant surprise when your fluid levels are back to normal.

What are you missing?

Maybe it’s not what you are eating -- but what you are NOT getting in your diet. Our food is so processed and depleted, that many of the nutrients we need just aren’t there. Sometimes supplements can get you back on track. Vitamin D3, plant sterols which support your hormonal system, and Omega 3 healthy fats all are important for weight loss.

Looking in the wrong places?

Chances are the results you want are there. You are just looking for them in the wrong place. The scale isn’t the best method of measuring. We just use it because it is easy. When you lose weight, you lose fat, water, and muscle. You want to lose fat, which is unhealthy and takes up lots of space. You want to keep and build your lean muscles, which make you strong, prevents injury, and looks much better. If you lose fat and add lean muscle you may weigh the same, but you will look and feel much better. You’ll probably be better off using the tape measure as a gauge.

Don't give up!

Most important of all -- give yourself time and don’t give up. Remember that our goal isn’t short-term weight loss so we will just look good for a while. Instead we want a healthy, active, fulfilling life for as long we live.

There’s much more to life!