Calorie Intake and Weight Loss Plateau

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Weight Loss and Calorie Intake Burn

Restricting calories is the proper way to lose weight but it does have a "double edge sword" because the metabolism slows down in the process. If your weight loss suddenly stops after successfully losing weight for several months, then you have reached a plateau.

Many people upon reaching a plateau become discouraged, give up, and gain the weight back; not realizing that this phenomenon is a natural part of the weight loss process and that their total calorie consumption should actually be increased.

Here are 2 tips to combat plateau: 

1. Once weight loss has come to a stop, don't focus on the scale. Weigh yourself every few weeks and concentrate on healthy eating. Keep your calories the same.

2. After reaching a plateau, If you have not loss weight for several more weeks, then slowly increase calories by 100 - 200 for the first two weeks.

Then increase calories by another 100 - 300 calories for the next two weeks. The reason for gradually increasing calories is to slowly increase your metabolism without gaining weight.  By slowly returning to your pre diet calorie consumption, you stay in control of eating habits. Once you lose control of your eating habits, it's all over! You'll never lose weight and keep it off.

Taking a break from a restricted calorie diet while maintaining normal calories for your weight will raise your metabolism and give you more freedom over the amount and types of foods you can eat.  After several more weeks or months (when you're ready), reduce by 500 to 600 calories. The weight will gradually fall off again.

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