Have You Experienced a Weight Loss Lockdown?

It is important that you expect to hit a weight loss plateau at some point during your weight loss journey. As long as you don’t give up, the weight you’ve already lost is significant. Once you get past the stall, you can achieve your next goal, so be patient. If you give in and try to rush through a weight loss plateau, it can damage your metabolism and send your body into a tailspin. Do not go back to your pre-diet habits or you might gain back more weight than you lost. Once your body adjusts to the new normal, you can begin losing weight again with minimal changes to fine tune your weight loss efforts. Believe in your healthy lifestyle changes and give your body the time it needs to reset your metabolism. Although it can be hard to wait, it is important to stay patient after hitting a weight loss plateau.

• Avoid Liquid Calories - Consuming liquid calories first thing in the morning is a terrible way to start your day. Instead, start your day with a couple glasses of water and a cup of black coffee or green tea.
• Be as Active as Possible - A brisk walk after dinner can increase your metabolic rate and may keep it elevated for a couple hours, even after you’ve relaxed or gone to bed.
• Stay Patient as Your Body Adjusts - Try shifting your focus from the results you are seeing on the scale to fine tuning your effort and consistency. The number on the scales should not determine your success or failure.
• Cut Back on Salt - If you are consuming too much sodium, it can jeopardize your weight loss efforts and cause your scales to stall due to water retention.

While the nutritional guidelines set by the USDA provide valuable information that is important for people to follow, it is a one-size-fits-all recommendation that can be inefficient or ineffective based on your unique needs. The essence of personalized nutrition is not to change the guidelines or produce individualized food products, but rather to assist people in achieving a lasting dietary behavioral change that is beneficial for losing weight and improving wellness. Personalized menu plans that support an individual’s nutritional needs can help someone achieve their ideal weight and reach the health condition to which they individually aspire. Based on our current understanding of nutrition, individuals need to receive coaching and support on how to improve his or her daily intake of food as well as how to make better personal food choices.