Atkins Diet Plateau

When a person has been dieting to lose weight for an extended period of time they may reach a point where no matter how diligent they are their weight stays the same. If you have been following the Atkins plan faithfully and have reached a point where your weight will no longer drop you may have reached a weight loss plateau. Do not be discouraged a plateau is only an indication that your body is not gaining or losing pounds.

A plateau may occur if you are within five or ten pounds of your goal weight. The Atkins low-carbohydrate high-protein diet will created more muscle in your body. Your muscle-to-fat ratio will be higher, so your body may be resisting losing anymore fat.

Before beginning a weight loss program it is advisable to take your measurements as well as stepping on the scale. Measure your chest, waist, hips, upper arms, thighs and calves and record the results.

When starting the Atkins diet you may actually gain a little weight because you will be replacing fat with muscle, which is denser and heavier. Although the scale may not show a change in your body weight you could actually be slimmer.

Rechecking your measurements may show a considerable change in your body shape and the fit of your clothing is also a good indicator of weight loss. Since the body will lose inches at a different rate and in different places your beginning measurements will give you a reference to determine your progress.

Check your weight and measurements once a week. By using both methods to track your fat loss you will avoid the disappointment of relying on the scales alone.

If you've gone a couple weeks without a change in your weight or measurements there are a few things you can try to get your body back into the losing mode.

Be sure your are not consuming too many grams of carbohydrates per day and be careful of hidden carbohydrates in packaged foods and dressings.

Do not go hungry, eat more frequently taking some protein with every meal and snack. Drink plenty of water and don't restrict your calories, Atkins is not a calorie restriction diet and you need the calories to keep your body from going into starvation mode and slowing your metabolism.

By following these suggestions you should be able to overcome a plateau and quickly move on to success.

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing."

Abraham Lincoln