It’s a frustrating place to be – you feel you are doing everything right but the scale has stopped moving or worse still it’s going in the wrong direction! What is happening – you cry out in a fit of disbelief, self-deprecation and woe! How can this be? You wonder… Maybe you aren’t being as diligent or as “good” as you could be. Maybe you had too much fat the other day -which would be the wrong reason as fat alone doesn’t cause weight gain. Well, in today’s article we will look at some of these “Scale Sticking Factors”. Some may surprise you.
Here are the major reasons you may be stuck:
#1 Stress. Yes, you probably knew I’d say this all along – didn’t you?
There is no getting around it stress is a killer to your continued weight loss efforts. The more you reduce it or find effective ways to manage it the better. Getting control of your stress is the best way to move the scale and start losing fat again.
#2 Exercise is NOT a Weight Loss Strategy. You may be thinking you need to actually start exercising or worse yet – exercise more to lose the weight. Wrong, although exercise is essential for overall health and helps to maintain weight loss it does not help you lose weight. Exercise only accounts for 20% of a healthy regimen the remaining 80% is all about your nutrition. What you put into your mouth is the ultimate key. You must make changes first in your diet and then add a suitable exercise program.
#3 Sleep. You must make this a priority! It’s directly tied in with stress. If you don’t get enough of your Vitamin S (Sleep) your stress hormones such as Cortisol kicks in preventing healthy weight loss. With adequate amounts of sleep you can accomplish much in your day and be able to create a healthy body. Your mind or body will not function without it. You will not lose weight and will most likely gain if lack of sleep becomes a habit.
#4 Eating “Healthy” Junk Food. Never heard of this? Well I have now classified these foods into this new category. You think it’s a healthy food but think again. This category contains the “Heart Healthy” Cheerios, the “Probiotic” sugar laden yogurts, the “Protein” Bars – which are anything but protein, again, usually loaded with sugar and unpronounceable ingredients. Beware these packaged foods will not help you lose weight and are not a healthy alternative to Real Foods – you know the ones found in Mother Nature?
#5 You really haven’t decided to: You really aren’t focused even though you think and say you are. You want to lose weight and be healthy but your actions are not saying that at all. Your actions are saying you aren’t serious, you aren’t committed and that being healthier and losing weight is really not that important to you – especially right now. If not now – then when? Take an honest look at what you are doing and what you are saying you want – is there a conflict? Remind yourself and even tell another person that you are worth it and will do what it takes. Promise this to yourself and let your buddy help you stick to it. Be dedicated to yourself.
This is what you need to focus on daily:
I hope some of these will give you clues as to where you are getting stuck. If you need more help getting unstuck call us for a quick review.
