Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we have our first recommended topic of discussion, and it's a doozy! The big question is why things slow down or stop when you're on a weight loss journey. Keep in mind that I have not gone to medical school, and although I have a
specialty in sports nutrition, I am not a registered dietician. Let's dig in!
Take another look at #4. Most of the time, we're just being impatient with ourselves. It can get pretty dull and monotonous, right? But hey, that's just how most weight loss programs go. But wait, don't tune out just yet. I'm not saying it's forever boring. There are tons of ways to spice up your workouts and meals. Remember our chat in the last blog post? If something works, we gotta keep doing it. How else will we know if it's actually working if we don't keep at it? It took you 9 months to put on that "baby weight". It's going to take more than a few weeks to take it off.
Women
Hey ladies, let's get one thing straight - comparing weight loss with men is like comparing apples to... well, oranges! Our struggles are unique.
Shall I enumerate them? Let's begin with puberty and conclude with menopause. Women, our bodies are often influenced by hormones. According to Clarity Chiropractic, achieving long-term weight management depends on consistently monitoring hormone levels, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, managing stress, ensuring quality sleep, and reducing exposure to environmental toxins. That's it! Simple, right? Insert nervous laughter here. In essence, go easy on yourself. We can overcome genetics, balance hormones like thyroid and cortisol, address age-related health issues, and even navigate autoimmune diseases.
How Hard Are You Working?
There is always space for improvement. Change things up by including a friend or a group of friends. We tend to put in more effort when motivated by a companion. Moreover, this companion can help keep you on track. Which leads to the next question....
Are You Being Honest With Yourself?
Weight loss is just science. It takes 3500 calories consumed to gain a pound, and it will take 3500 calories burned to lose a pound. For most of us, 3500 calories is a lot of food.....but stretch it out over a week or a month and it's not that much....to gain or to lose!
Your best bet for continued long term success is to make clean eating and moving your body a daily habit. Track your food for a bit and see where you are with calories and macros (more on macros later). I like using www.cronometer.com and most fitbits have a food tracking app.
Did I answer the question "What if weight loss stalls?" I'm hoping that you will see that there is no simple answer. There are many factors to consider, but these are the basics:
Be patient
check your gender and health (variables sometimes out of your control)
address your level of intensity
Be honest with yourself
DON'T GIVE UP!!
Most importantly, don't give up.
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