Why is the number on the scale not moving when I’m doing everything right?
Everybody reacts differently to different meal plans. Some people will see results very quickly, while others take more time to see those same results. This is normal, and it’s why you can’t compare yourself to anybody else. We are so used to a fast-paced world and wanting instant satisfaction, but it just doesn’t always happen that way – and THAT’S OKAY! Maybe we need to be a little more patient or maybe we need to make some more changes in what we are doing. Sometimes it the smallest things that are stopping our progress. Here are 4 scenarios that could be the reason you aren’t getting the results you are looking for, and what you can do to get it fixed:
Portion Control
You are “eyeing out” your portion sizes!
Majority of us are misjudging our serving sizes. That’s not an assumption, it’s a fact. We are known to be inpatient and wanting everything to be quick and unfortunately this shows in the kitchen. Instead of grabbing the measuring spoon we eye it out, instead of pulling out the food scale, we estimate with our palm or fist. We misjudge, we build up calories, and we are not losing weight.
How do we fix it?
Spend some time tracking your food and measuring everything out. This is not something you will need to do forever, but you would be surprised how much quinoa is really in a 1/2 cup, what a real serving of nuts is [it’s not a lot], and how small a serving of olive oil really is. Spend about 2 weeks measuring EVERYTHING, recalibrate your expectations, and build the habit of appropriate serving sizes! |
Sleep
You aren’t sleeping enough!
Our bodies rely on a variety of hormones that regulate while we are eating and sleeping. Our bodies work best on a regular schedule; eating at the same time, going to sleep at the same time, and waking at the same time. Our bodies recover when we eat and sleep, so if we are skipping meals, not eating, and our sleep routine is all out of whack, it can result in weight gain or weight plateaus.
How do we fix it?
Prioritize your sleep schedule. You can’t just create good eating habits, you need to create good lifestyle habits as well. Do your best to get in bed around the same time every night. Turn off the tv, cell phones, iPad, etc. at least 30 minutes before going to sleep. All the technology and lights from these devices are just confusing your body and keeping you awake longer. Try an all-natural sleep aid if needed or take magnesium to relax your body. Think about your sleep schedule like your work or school schedule. You show up and leave work at a specific time so set a regular bedtime and stick to it. STOP falling asleep on the couch and remember 6-8 hours of sleep EVERY NIGHT! |
|
|
Chew Your Food
You aren’t practicing mindful eating!
What does that mean? It’s one of the most powerful weight loss tools. This means you slow down and actually chew your food. You eat without distractions, and you’re noticing what it fills like to be full. You will eat much less, you’ll never feel the discomfort of overeating, and you will get to enjoy your food.
How do we fix it?
First off, put your phone away, especially if you’re eating with other people. Second, eat slower. Cut your food into bite size pieces and chew it. Slowing down will allow your body to be more aware of when it’s time to stop, and sometimes it’s time to stop well before your plate is empty [especially when eating out]. Enjoy your meal and when you feel satisfying signals kicking in, drink some water and stop eating. This will greatly cut back on calories, reduce bloating, and remove that uncomfortable overful feeling. |
|
|
|
|
Wrong Numbers
You’re focusing on the wrong numbers!
It is very common to not see the number on the scale moving for a few days or even a week at a time. This does not mean you aren’t losing body fat. Body weight will always fluctuate for many reasons. It could be the food you ate that day, the amount of water you drank, if you worked out, all the hormones in our bodies, etc.
While your weight isn’t moving, your body composition may be changing drastically. What you really want is to be gaining muscle mass and cutting body fat. The leaner muscle mass you have, the more body fat you will burn.
How do we fix this?
Stop stepping on the scale every day. If you must weigh yourself, weigh in every 10 days or so, so get an average weight for the week. Also, stop using the scale as your only form of measurement to gauge progress. The most important thing is how you feel and how things fit. Another tip, take pictures. You see yourself every day so seeing changes might be hard at first. Take pictures every 10-14 days and compare them. Your body composition is way more important that the number on the scale. Focus on the right numbers and you’ll continue seeing progress. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
It can be frustrating to not see the results you want as quickly… but don’t give up! Don’t stop trying because it didn’t work out how you wanted the first few weeks. Take time to really think about, what you are and aren’t doing, make changes, and remember why you started. Keep training hard and eating smart!
You got this!
Simone Leta
Director Snap Nutrition
CONTACT SIMONE
E-MAIL
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
Varsity House Gym
A World Leader in Strength & Conditioning.
For more information go to
www.varsityhousegym.com.
Recent Comments