Five Reasons Your
Scale Might be Stuck
You’ve been doing your best to eat healthy and exercise. You’ve
even lost a few pounds. But now the number on the scale just
won’t budge. It’s not unusual for the needle to get stuck after
about six months on a weight-loss plan. Learn what might be
causing your plateau, and how to fight through to the next level.
Are you the victim of one of these weight-loss pitfalls? Don’t get discouraged— fi nd solutions and get results.
- Eating more than you burn off. Exercise is not a free ticket to portion distortion. Even if you work out, choose healthy foods and sensible servings. Avoid overloading on energy bars—they can be as bad for you as candy bars, and often lack fiber and other nutrients. You don’t need extra food or sports drinks during exercise unless you work out for two hours or more.
- Not eating enough. On the other hand, you need enough calories to prevent your body from entering starvation mode. Eat a snack before and after your workout. And be sure to include carbohydrates in your diet—they fuel an active lifestyle.
- Dieting alone. Not hitting the gym? Get started. It’s tough to keep dropping pounds just by eating less. What’s more, physical activity has a laundry list of health benefits beyond smaller jeans—work out and you’ll sleep better, feel better mentally and physically, and have a lower risk of dying.
- The same old routine. Already exercising? Add additional cardio workouts or bump up your intensity. You may need 60 to 90 minutes of moderate activity per day to continue losing weight. Try a new activity to keep yourself motivated. And watch your form—for example, don’t lean on the handlebars of the stair climber.
- Unrealistic goals. Not everyone is meant to be a size 2. Is your goal more than 5 to 10 percent lower than your original weight? You may be aiming too low. Focus on strategies to maintain your new, healthy body instead.
