If you’ve been on a weight loss journey for a while, you’ve probably experienced it: the dreaded plateau. You’re doing everything right—eating healthy, working out regularly—but the scale stops moving. Your motivation wanes, and frustration sets in. The good news? Plateaus are completely normal, and they don’t mean you’ve failed. In fact, they’re an opportunity to adjust your approach and push through to the next level.
Here’s how to break through those plateaus and continue making progress on your weight loss journey.
1. Understand Why Plateaus Happen
Plateaus are a natural part of the weight loss process. When you lose weight, your body adapts to the changes. Initially, your body burns fat more quickly because it’s adjusting to the new routine, but as you get leaner, your metabolism may slow down to conserve energy. Your body has essentially “caught up” to the weight loss, and it becomes more efficient at operating at your new weight.
It’s important to recognize that this is a sign of your body’s resilience and that it’s time to adjust your approach.
2. Reassess Your Caloric Intake
As you lose weight, your caloric needs decrease. If you continue eating the same number of calories as you did when you were heavier, you may hit a plateau because you’re consuming more than your body needs. To break through the plateau, try reassessing your daily calorie intake.
- Track your calories: Use an app or food diary to track what you’re eating. You may find areas where you can adjust portions or eliminate unnecessary snacks.
- Create a new calorie deficit: If you’ve lost weight and your metabolism has slowed, you may need to reduce your calorie intake slightly to get back on track.
3. Change Up Your Workout Routine
Your body adapts to exercise, too. If you’ve been doing the same workouts for weeks or months, your muscles may have become used to the routine. To keep your body challenged and break through a plateau, change up your workouts.
- Increase intensity: Push yourself harder by adding more weight, increasing your speed, or doing high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
- Try new exercises: Add variety to your routine with different activities like cycling, swimming, yoga, or Pilates.
- Include strength training: If you haven’t already, incorporate resistance training to build muscle. Muscle burns more calories at rest, which can help boost your metabolism.
4. Ensure You’re Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep plays a huge role in weight loss. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body’s ability to regulate hormones like cortisol (the stress hormone) and ghrelin (the hunger hormone) can be impaired. This can lead to increased cravings, hunger, and stress, all of which can stall weight loss.
- Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night to help your body recover, regulate hormones, and keep cravings in check.
5. Manage Stress
Stress is another factor that can slow down weight loss. When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol, which can promote fat storage, especially around the belly area. High levels of stress can also cause emotional eating, leading to overeating or cravings for unhealthy foods.
- Practice stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, journaling, or deep breathing to reduce cortisol levels and help your body relax.
6. Be Patient and Stay Consistent
The most important thing to remember during a plateau is to stay patient and consistent. Weight loss isn’t always a straight line, and plateaus are just temporary roadblocks. Stick to your routine, keep making healthy choices, and trust the process. Even if the scale isn’t moving, other indicators like how your clothes fit or how you feel physically and mentally may show progress.
- Focus on the bigger picture: Look at how far you’ve come. Progress isn’t always reflected on the scale, so celebrate non-scale victories, like better energy, improved mood, and enhanced strength.
7. Consider a Refeed or Diet Break
Sometimes, a brief break from a calorie deficit can help reset your metabolism. This is called a “refeed” or a “diet break.” It involves increasing your calories for a short period, typically for a few days, to give your body a metabolic boost. This can help break through plateaus by signaling to your body that it’s okay to keep burning fat.
- Consult with a nutritionist before making drastic changes to your diet. A well-planned refeed or break can help you push through a plateau, but it should be done in moderation.
8. Track Your Progress in Different Ways
Sometimes, focusing too much on the scale can cause unnecessary stress. Consider tracking your progress through other means, such as:
- Body measurements: Take monthly measurements of your waist, hips, arms, and legs to track changes in body composition.
- Progress photos: Take photos every few weeks to visually see changes in your body.
- Fitness improvements: Track how much stronger or fitter you’re getting by noting your performance in workouts.
If you’ve been on a weight loss journey for a while, you’ve probably experienced it: the dreaded plateau. You’re doing everything right—eating healthy, working out regularly—but the scale stops moving. Your motivation wanes, and frustration sets in. The good news? Plateaus are completely normal, and they don’t mean you’ve failed. In fact, they’re an opportunity to adjust your approach and