The Weight Loss Plateau—Defined

Have you ever experienced a weight loss plateau? This occurs when you are successfully trimming excess fat, and then, still pounds away from your goal, you suddenly hit a stall in your results.

Weight loss plateaus, which are virtually inevitable with reduced-calorie diets, occur because in the early weeks of weight loss, your body is primarily releasing glycogen, a type of carbohydrate found in the muscles and liver.

Glycogen is readily converted to glucose (sugar) as needed. However,  when glycogen is burned for energy, water is released, which means that the initial weight loss you experience is primarily water weight. This may spark a weight loss plateau because your metabolism―the body’s process of burning calories for energy―slows down to protect you from losing lean muscle mass.

Remember, the higher your ratio of lean muscle mass to fat, the more effective your metabolism will be, and the easier it will be to reach and maintain a healthy weight, for life. Next, check out 5 Keys to Breaking Through Your Weight-Loss Plateau.