Weight-loss plateaus occur when our brain senses that we’ve started to lose body fat and are eating fewer calories than usual.
The levels of fat we have in our body are known as our ‘set point’, and when we go below this level, our brain will respond.
Our brain receives many hormonal signals from our body, and when it senses lower body fat levels, it will respond by slowing down our metabolism to preserve our remaining fat stores.
This response from our brain is a protective evolutionary mechanism. It’s designed to prevent us from dying of starvation and survive a famine.
Having a weight-loss plateau is an absolute certainty if you’re currently on your weight-loss journey. You’ll probably have many plateaus.
However, it’s important to internalise that this is a normal and expected part of losing weight over the long term.
That said, it can be very easy to start second-guessing yourself and question whether you’re still doing the right things – particularly when the weight doesn’t seem to move for 4+ weeks.
Our experience at Second Nature is that weight-loss plateaus can last as long as eight to twelve weeks.
This is an incredibly long time, which is why we often find it helpful to have additional support and reassurance during this time – otherwise, it’s very easy to give up.
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It’s common, frustrating, and demotivating
It’s common for those on a weight loss journey to notice that their weight loss has slowed down or stopped, even if they’re still eating fewer calories.
For those of us building healthy habits sustainably around diet, physical activity, exercise, strength training, sleep, and stress, it can be confusing to see our weight going down steadily for some time and then remaining the same or slightly increasing.
This is known as a weight-loss plateau and can be incredibly demotivating. It’s essential to understand the science behind why this happens and how we can get past a weight-loss plateau so that we can reach our health goals.
What is a weight loss plateau?
If you’ve had many unsuccessful weight loss efforts in the past, you know how hard it is to continue losing weight and keep it off in the long run. Fat loss is often a short-term experience associated with eventual weight regain.
The ideal weight loss journey will be phased with periods of losing body fat and weight maintenance until we reach our goal weight.
Let’s recap the dieting journey many of us have taken in the past: significant initial weight loss after lowering your calorie intake or cutting the carbs, then progress stalls, then progress continues to plateau, and finally, we get disillusioned and quit.
Yet, the stalling part, or the ‘plateau’, is essential – the scales aren’t moving because our body is adjusting to change.
We tend to lose weight quickly in the first few weeks after making lifestyle changes. However, after a few weeks, we might notice the scales come to a complete standstill, or the numbers start to creep back up.
Often when we embark on a weight-loss journey, we assume it will be linear. We think we can keep losing weight at the same rate as when we first started. But this isn’t the case.
Below we can see a graph representing our ‘expectations’ vs the ‘reality’ of a typical weight loss journey. In the graph on the right, we can see intermittent periods of weight loss and weight plateaus.
Although this might not look ideal, the journey on the right represents a more sustainable way to lose weight. It’s worth noting that our weight is still trending downward overall, but we experience fluctuations and plateaus along the way.
Key points:
A weight-loss plateau is a period of ‘stalling’ or even weight gain on our weight loss journey
No healthy, sustainable weight loss journey is linear and the plateaus are important for long-term weight loss.
Why does our weight plateau?
The weight-loss plateaus are essential to allow time for our body to ‘reset’ before we can continue losing weight again. This is explained through a theory called the ‘set-point theory’.
To better explain ‘set-point theory’, here’s a helpful analogy: consider it our core body temperature.
Our body’s average temperature is 37 degrees. If we go above or below that, the body will do everything in its power to get us back to that normal temperature – it’ll sweat to cool down or shiver to keep warm.
‘Homeostasis’ is how our body maintains itself in a stable condition, whether temperature or weight.
Everyone has a natural ‘set point’, the weight our body hovers at when we eat healthily. Our DNA and the environment around us determine our set point.
Slow, gradual weight gain over many years can trick our body into thinking its set point is higher than it should be, which causes our body to resettle at a new, higher weight.
Scientists estimate that the average person will have a set-point range of 5-10% of their body weight, which means that at any given time, our body can lose or gain between that amount without much resistance.
For example, if your current ‘set point’ is 12 stone (76kg), your body could lose or gain between ~8-17lbs (4-8kg) without too much resistance.
However, going below this range would be highly challenging. Our body is programmed to function optimally within our set-point range and will do everything to maintain it.
It’s important to remember that everyone is unique, so some people might have a different set-point range, meaning their body allows a much smaller or more significant weight loss before meeting resistance.
Key points:
‘Set-point theory’ explains why it’s important to allow time for our body to ‘reset’ before we can continue losing weight again
Everyone has a unique set-point weight and going below this weight is extremely challenging.
What this means for weight loss
The set-point theory explains why some people reach a ‘stalemate’ situation when losing weight naturally, despite continually practising healthy habits around diet, exercise, sleep, and stress.
Our natural set point might not be what we want it to be or even what society thinks it should be. Some of us will naturally have a higher weight set point, and others will have a lower one.
It’s essential to take this into account when making lifestyle changes. If our goal is unrealistic, it can be demotivating when it’s not realised quickly enough, resulting in us giving up and returning to unhealthy habits.
Key points:
Set-point theory explains why some people reach a ‘stalemate’ situation when losing weight naturally, despite continually practising healthy habits
Some of us will naturally have a higher weight set point, and some of us will have a lower one.
Why weight-loss plateaus are very important
A weight-loss plateau doesn’t mean our healthy lifestyle changes aren’t working. If they’re a result of reaching our set-point weight, it’s a necessary part of our body’s process to readjust and reset.
Research shows that two-thirds of people regain all the weight they lost, and then some follow a strict diet, so we need to remember that maintaining the weight we’ve already lost is a significant achievement.
The weight maintenance phase, or weight loss plateau, is essential to allow our body time to adapt. If we ignore this maintenance phase, continuing to lose weight will be a monumental battle.
From an evolutionary point of view, this makes sense. For our ancestors, periods of weight loss generally indicated a risk of starvation due to a lack of food availability.
Therefore, our body would try its best to hold onto the energy stores that we already have. This is achieved by lowering our basal metabolic rate (BMR).
BMR measures the energy our body requires to stay functioning at rest. This is how much energy is needed to perform essential functions like breathing, keeping our heart pumping, and digestion.
If we lose weight, our body will become much better at rationing what it has to make it last longer. It will reduce our body temperature, thyroid activity, and fat oxidation (or the amount of fat we burn) and help our muscles move more efficiently.
All these adjustments mean we burn less fuel overall, which can lead to a natural plateau.
On top of this, research indicates that people who’ve lost weight have higher levels of ghrelin (the hunger hormone) than those who’ve kept the same weight for years.
Higher ghrelin levels also tell our body to conserve more fat stores.
A weight-loss plateau is important to allow our body’s metabolic rate and ghrelin signalling to readjust back to normal. This happens when our body ‘resets’ to a new, lower set-point weight.
Key points:
A weight-loss plateau doesn’t mean our healthy lifestyle changes aren’t working
The weight maintenance phase, or weight loss plateau, is essential to allow our body time to adapt
Our body can then adapt to a new lower set-point weight and we can continue losing weight.
How long does a plateau in weight loss last?
You might be asking why you’ve seen other people lose a lot of weight and never gain it back. The good news is, changing your set point isn’t impossible. But it takes time and patience.
Just as we can reset our set point to be higher when we gain weight, this also works in reverse when we lose weight. But we need to work alongside our bodies to achieve this successfully.
More research shows that if we lose weight slowly and gradually, our set point can adjust, and our bodies will stop battling against us.
It may be challenging, but once you’ve hit your set-point plateau, your body will need time to adjust to a new weight.
Following this, you’ll have established a different set point, and your body will respond like that’s the ‘new normal’, which means you can begin losing weight again if you want or need to.
A plateau can last between eight to twelve weeks, but it also varies individually. After this, it’s much easier for us to recommence a period of weight loss.
Sustainable weight loss isn’t a sprint. Most of the time, significant life-changing weight loss happens over 1-2 years, not in 1-2 episodes, like in the diet shows on TV.
It can take many years for us to steadily gain weight; likewise, it will take time to lose it again.
Check out our guide on overcoming a weight loss plateau, where we cover the importance of body composition (build muscle mass); building an exercise routine that includes cardio, HIIT, and resistance training; the importance of getting enough sleep; and how to manage your portion sizes and maintain a sustainable calorie deficit in the long term.
Key points:
It’s possible to lower our set-point weight over time
After reaching your set-point weight plateau, your body will respond like that’s the ‘new normal’, which means you can begin losing weight again if you want or need to
A plateau can last anywhere between eight to twelve weeks, but it also varies on an individual level and it’s important we maintain our healthy habits during this time.
Take home message
A weight-loss plateau is a period of ‘stalling’ or even weight gain on our weight-loss journey
No healthy, sustainable weight loss journey is linear, and the plateaus are essential for long-term weight loss
‘Set-point theory’ explains why it’s essential to allow time for our body to ‘reset’ before we can continue losing weight again
Everyone has a unique set-point weight, and going below this weight is extremely challenging
A weight-loss plateau doesn’t mean our healthy lifestyle changes aren’t working
The weight maintenance phase, or weight loss plateau, is essential to allow our body time to adapt
It’s possible to lower our set-point weight over time
After reaching your set-point weight plateau, your body will respond like that’s the ‘new normal’, which means you can begin losing weight again if you want or need to
A plateau can last between eight to twelve weeks, but it also varies individually, and we must maintain our healthy habits during this time.
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Akshit Raj
21 June, 2024
Thank you so much for this write up. In order to hold on our grip, this piece is extremely significant.
John Scrimshaw
8 June, 2024
I am 87 years old 160 cm tall and trying to lose weight. I have limited mobility but am able to walk 4000 steps each day. I began a reduced diet 3 months ago with a starting weight of 87.1kg. After a month I had dropped to 82.6 kg. 3 weeks ago, at 81.1kg my loss seems to have reached a plateau and goes up and down .1 to .4 kg each day. Do I just have to remain patient or is there something I should to to keep my loss going towards my target of 70kg?
Susan
4 January, 2024
It is frustrating to hit the dreaded plateau, however I personally recommend not to try and ‘break’ this period and continue with your diet as is. Skip the scale for a while and grab the measuring band because here is where it gets interesting. Instead of losing weight, chances are you are losing inches. Do not cut your calories or do anything drastic. This process of not losing weight but losing inches is where your body is doing some serious complex processes and this helps you to NOT sit with loose skin. Allow it the time it needs to complete this process before your body starts losing again. Granted that the plateau isn’t caused by your own sneaked up calories and you are actually just maintaining. If you are losing inches but the scale stands still, embrace this and give your body the best nutrition and superfoods you can get your hands on. Eventually the process will come to and end and weightloss will continue and you will notice that your skin is moving with the weightloss. Forcing weight down too quickly especially diets like keto or high protein is where most people sit with loose skin. Rather go on a healthy mediterranean diet for example and actually enjoy the process.
Vrinda
27 October, 2023
Excellent article – very encouraging
luz
21 February, 2023
I’ve been in a weight loss plateau for a year, ive tried everything im 5’2 and im 152 pounds
Melody
25 November, 2022
March i weighed 368, ive lost 60 pounds by october, but now im just maintaining while i am in “plateau”… I still eat healthy, no sugar drinks just water, and exercise everyday even if its indoor exercises. I am under 30 years old, and want to get back to my 190 range. This article helped me understand that i am not doing anything wrong, and just need to keep going, thankyou
Ron Rimmer
1 April, 2022
Great article. I really needed to read this. I have lost 30 lbs. and have been yo-yoing for a month. My weight loss chart looks very similar to yours. I am doing cardio 30 minutes a day as well as weight training. I am 72 years old and really want to maintain a healthier lifestyle and weight. I started at 250lbs and plateaued at 220 +/-. My goal is 200lbs.
Jeff Elvis
18 May, 2022
Hey Ron just wanting to know I’m 59 years old and I’m also at 220 lb and have hit a plateau would you mind sharing what height you’re at.
Anna
17 April, 2022
Hi Ron,
So pleased this guide has been helpful! Sounds like you already have a great exercise regimen in place 💪
Our programme will take a deep dive into weight loss plateaus and provide plenty of tips and tricks to help you push past your plateau and continue toward your goal. You’ll have the 1:1 support of a health coach who can help you to examine your specific patterns and nutrition to pinpoint areas of improvement to help you shed the remaining weight!
Well, that explains a lot. I lost 30 pounds in 9 months and still have 15 pounds to go. I eat 1000 calories a day, and have been stuck right at 179 +/- pounds for 10 weeks. So according to this, I should start losing again right about now. I’m glad I didn’t throw in the towel, but I gotta say, I sure came close. If something happens in the next month, I’ll try to post another comment.
Kate
5 April, 2023
Wow good job
Anna
17 March, 2022
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your comment, so pleased this guide has been helpful!
Our programme provides extensive learning content around weight loss plateaus, and you’ll have the 1:1 support of a health coach who is there to help you build healthier habits to continue moving toward your weight loss goal.
If you’d like to learn more about our programme, you can take our health quiz here, or email support@secondnature.io with any questions 🙂
Nonie
23 November, 2024
Hi, thanks for this I really needed to understand why I suddenly stopped losing after 7 weeks on the 16/8 fasting. 1 weighted 72 kilos 8 weeks ago and went steadily down to 65 kilo. However, yesterday I was gutted to see the scales hit 66 kilo. I’ve not changed my regime at all. Now I’ll just continue ( except for the 2 days over Xmas 🙀) and hope by summer 2025 I’ll track my desired 60kilos. Good luck to you all💪🏻🫶
Anna
2 February, 2022
Hi Dave,
So pleased this guide’s been helpful!
Our programme provides extensive guidance (including coaching support) on overcoming weight-loss plateaus and maintaining weight loss once you’ve reached your goal.
If you’d like to learn more, you can take our health quiz here, or email support@secondnature.io with any questions 😊
aari
26 January, 2022
hi there, thank you so much for this crystal clear explanation of weight loss plateau with the set point theory.It makes me realize why i’m struggling to lose weight for the past three months.
once again thank you for this article because it makes me to understand what is happening in my body and what my body needs.thank you…
Anna
17 March, 2022
Hi Aari,
Thanks for your comment, so pleased you’ve found this guide helpful 🙂
Our programme offers extensive learning content on weight loss plateaus, as well as the 1:1 support of a health coach to help you overcome plateaus and tweak habits to create a healthier lifestyle and reach your weight loss goal.
If you’d like to learn more about Second Nature, you can take our health quiz here, or email support@secondnature.io with any questions 🙂
S.G
14 December, 2021
Hey, I started with 120kg (264 lbs, 5’10”, male) and lost almost 22kg (48 lbs), and then my weight loss stalled. I’ve noticed that I’m losing belly fat(almost lost %80 of the belly fat since the last two months) while stalling on my current weight. I used to walk 3h every day before hitting the plateau. This plateau has lasted more than 3 months now. Calorie intake is lower than it used to be (around 1500 calorie intake every day). In addition to that, I’ve added running to the plan (the main reason I lose fat). Not sure if it’s ever enough, but for now, I run for 15 mins and the rest (2h 45m; 12.5 miles) walking every day. Is this normal? When can I expect to lose some weight in the future?
Anna
18 January, 2022
Hi there,
Each of us has a natural ‘set-point’ weight which is determined by our genetics, the environment around us, our hormones, and our psychology. Scientists estimate that the average person will have a set-point range of 5-10% of their body weight, which means that at any given time, our body can lose or gain between that amount without much resistance.
But to go below this range would be extremely challenging. Our body is programmed to function optimally within our set-point range and it will do everything to maintain it.
The set-point theory explains why some people reach a ‘stalemate’ situation when losing weight naturally, despite strictly following the nutrition recommendations. You can read more about the set-point theory here, and this article provides a bit more detail on why you might be experiencing a weight-loss plateau.
You already maintain an impressive exercise routine, have you had a chance to review our balanced plate model? Do you currently have one carb-free meal per day?
If you’re not yet a Second Nature subscriber, our programme will provide thorough support on how to overcome a weight loss plateau and continue to your weight-loss goal. You’ll have a health coach on hand to support and guide you throughout our programme. You can learn more by taking our health quiz here, or by emailing support@secondnature.io with any questions 🙂
Anna
24 December, 2021
Hi there,
That’s great you’ve upped your physical activity! It’s certainly normal to hit weight-loss plateaus and can take some experimenting and adjusting to finally push past a plateau.
Have you tried one meal per day without carbs? We’d recommend reviewing our balanced plate model if you haven’t already. Your body may also be taking the time to adjust to a new set-point.
This article provides some suggestions to push past a weight-loss plateau. We’d recommend varying your exercise routine, considering the time you’re eating (eating during a 10-hour window is ideal), and ensuring a consistent sleep pattern.
On our programme, you’ll have access to courses and content on weight-loss plateaus, and you’ll also have the support of a health coach who will help you develop a plan to continue toward your weight loss goal. If you’d like to learn more, you can take our health quiz here, or email support@secondnature.io with any questions 🙂
Cindy Kennedy
27 June, 2024
3 years ago I weighed 250 right now away 180 and I’m stuck I did inclining and dieting is that good or bad at this point thanks for your feedback
Scott
22 November, 2021
This is the best explanation I’ve seen for why we hit a plateau! After losing 13 pounds fairly quickly (1 month), I’ve now been the same weight for the last 8 days. I knew I’d eventually start losing again, but it’s nice to see the explanation as to why this is happening
Sharon Danley
15 January, 2022
I totally agree with Scott. This is the very best explanation I’ve heard or read. Thank you so much.
Anna
5 December, 2021
Hi Scott,
So pleased you’ve found this article helpful! Our programme provides further educational content around weight loss plateaus, overcoming plateaus, and how to maintain weight loss after you’ve reached your weight loss goal.
If you’d like to learn more about our programme, you can take our health quiz here, or email support@secondnature.io with any questions 🙂
Emily
9 November, 2021
Thank you so much for this article. I have referred back to it several times during my weight loss journey which began in March 2021. I have been overweight my entire adult life. I started doing exercise videos in my basement during the pandemic and intermittent fasting while focusing on protein and vegetables. I lost ten pounds per month for the first three months and then stalled out. The advice listed here helped me realize my body was regulating to the changes I had made and I stayed the course. I’m now down to 165 pounds from my starting weight of 224.
Anna
12 November, 2021
Hi Emily,
Thanks for your comment and congratulations on these incredible changes 🙂 So pleased this article has been helpful in your journey!
Those are such great habits you’ve built and its wonderful you’ve been able to seek out resources to reassure your progress and keep you on track whilst your body adjusts.
Our programme provides guidance around habits, thought patterns, sleep, stress management, exercise, and nutrition. We also offer programmes designed to help you overcome weight-loss plateaus and then maintain your goal weight once you’ve reached it.
If you’d like to learn more about our programme, you can take our health quiz here, or email support@secondnature.io with any questions 🙂
Brian
9 October, 2021
After being diagnosed with diabetes in March, I started a keto lifestyle. I weighed 325 2 weeks before my diagnosis, and 295 when I was diagnosed. Since mid-March, I’ve lost 85 lbs (115 from my 325 peak), brought my A1c down from 12.3 to 5.4. I have finally plateaued since mid-Sep, when I decided to start working out. The plateau is frustrating, but I have no intention of going back to my old ways. 210 is way better than 300+, even though it’s still heavier than my target. Seeing this article helped me understand that this is likely a pause, as opposed to a weight I will just need to accept. Ever forward!
Wendy
7 October, 2021
This was the best explanation on plateaus. I lost 23 lbs in 5 weeks and than nothing. All the other articles said I must be cheating and eating more than I should which was BS. But now it makes since I need to be patient and let my body “reset” Thank you I feel so much better
Monica
2 November, 2021
Yes, this article is the most convincing and helpful!
Anna
16 October, 2021
Hi Wendy,
We’re so pleased this guide has been helpful!
Our programme offers lots of support around weight-loss plateaus. If you’re interested in learning more, you can take our health quiz here, or email support@secondnature.io with any questions 🙂
Dustin Rowland
5 October, 2021
Hi. Thanks for the info. I have recently lost about 30 lbs and have plateued. I have a long way still yet to go to reach my goal weight. Im quite a bit overweight. My big question is, what should I do during a plateau? If for instance while I’ve been losing weight I have limited myself to 1800 calories a day along with exercise, during a plateau should I continue eating and exercising the same way? Or should I eat closer to my BMR for several weeks to allow my body time to adjust and then cut the calories again? Should I maintain the same level of exercise?
Antonio Gonzalez
1 October, 2021
This is the best article I’ve read about weight loss plateau and totally adjusted to my personal journey throughout this year. I was 84 kgs in January, stalled at 74 in June and just recently moved downwards again. Thanks for this and all the best!
Anna
12 October, 2021
Hi Antonio,
Thanks for your comment, and congratulations on your incredible progress! We’re so pleased this guide has been helpful 🙂
If you’re interested in learning more about our programme, you can take our health quiz here, or email support@secondnature.io with any questions!
Kim
29 September, 2021
What an excellent article on weight plateaus. It has greatly encouraged me to keep going. I have lost 7kg since May and reached a plateau over the past 3 weeks even though I have stuck to my eating plan. If I hadn’t found your article I would be so discouraged and would feel like giving up. I still have about 8kg to go and will now keep going.
Anna
12 October, 2021
Hi Kim,
Thanks for your comment, we’re so pleased this guide’s encouraged you to keep going 🙂 Congratulations on your incredible progress so far!
Our programme offers further educational material about weight-loss plateaus. You’ll also have the support of a health coach to answer questions and motivate you as you move towards your weight loss goal. If you’re interested in learning more, you can take our health quiz here, or contact support@secondnature.io with any questions 🙂
Mia rose Goldsworthy
8 September, 2021
I have given this a read today and it has helped me to understand that this is just a normal part of my weightloss journey i needed this to accept that where im at is ok. As I have lost 10st 3lbs in just over a year and a half. But i really have hit a stubborn plateau now and was feeling very fed up until i read this. So thankyou so much for your post it has helped to understand that it is just part of the process. 😊🤭🙏
Anna
20 September, 2021
Hi Mia,
Thanks for your comment, so pleased this guide has been helpful in understanding your journey 🙂 Congratulations on the progress you’ve made so far!
If you’re interested in learning more about our programme and the support provided, you can take our health quiz here.
Steve
7 September, 2021
Never heard of this before, but makes a little if sense.
I’ve lost 10 lb but then stopped. Stayed the same now for about 5 weeks, despite continuing with the gym 3 times a week and burning around 1250 calarories each session.
This info gives me motivation to keep going snd hopefully after another few weeks I will lose another few lbs, only another 5-7 lbs to reach my goal.
Anna
7 September, 2021
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your comment, and congratulations on your progress so far! So pleased this guide’s been helpful for your motivation.
If you’re interested in learning more about weight loss plateaus, or you’d like more information on our programme in general, you can take our health quiz here, or email support@secondnature.io with any questions 🙂
Mere Henry
30 August, 2021
Just like Rachel, I found the article informative and yes, it answers so many things. I have only started the plateau so willing to dig in for the long haul and not get discouraged. I am 10 kgs passed by goal weight so, I’m happy to discover my new norm or is it my old norm before I started piling on the weight 30 years ago. Thanks. The article did help.
Anna
6 September, 2021
Hi Mere,
Thanks for your comment – we’re so pleased the article was helpful 🙂
Pauline mills
25 August, 2021
Confusing but will try .
Rachel Krumpelman
24 August, 2021
Whew, this is incredibly useful information. I’m using the Noom app and I’m set to 1200 calories a day. I lost 15 pounds almost instantly and now I’m stuck around 217-219lbs for the past 2 weeks. I’m trying to get to 185. I’m 5’7″ and while I’m still overweight by 20lbs that goal weight happens to be the weight I feel most sexy. Plus, overweight is better than obese. Also, I was a size 14 in high school and I’ve heard that’s your prime weight 🤷♀️ I don’t know. I’ll just stay steady with my diet and wait for my body to reset and celebrate when I start dropping pounds again.
Mike Morgan
6 September, 2021
I would increase your calories and increase your workload, exercise program. Weight Lifting and cardio will ramp up your metabolism, burn more calories and build the body up while doing so. Losing 1-2 lbs a week is the way it should be, there’s not a better way. Its like working all your monthly hours in a row 160 hours straight with no sleep or anything or spread it out. It’s maintainable to obviously spread it out. If you lost lots early that’s great, and you jumped out ahead. I would just add to what you probably think you need to take away. Start with a 30 minute walk a day if you don’t exercise at all.
Anna
26 August, 2021
Hi Rachel, so pleased you’ve found this guide helpful!
Our programme will help you to overcome weight-loss plateaus, and will look at the different factors that might have you stuck at a particular weight such as hormones, stress, sleep, and your psychology.
This makes alot of sense. I’m actually experencing a platue now and I’ll incorporate this into my routine.
Anna
17 August, 2021
Hi Rose, pleased to hear this has been helpful! 🙌 If you’d like to learn more about our programme, you can take our health quiz here.
Zero
22 July, 2021
This is all complete BS. It reads as if it is written by a middle schooler. No data to back up any claim made.
Deb
31 July, 2021
@zero –
Thank you for sharing insightful comments. You might want to check out following article. Beth Israel Medical (the teaching hospital for Harvard) has an entire series on set-point weight where they present similar information and recommendations (not a lot of citations, but it’s Harvard, they probably did the original studies)
They link the research if you did indeed read it properly? Moreover, it’s written in lay terms so the average person can understand it without too much scientific jargon. Great article.
Kieren
24 July, 2021
Bull or not, it’s given me the motivation to beat my plateau. Thank you Tamara & Fiona.
In a world where we can be anything, be kind🙂
Stewart Andrews
17 July, 2021
Hi and thank you for this article, it makes sense now and I have just hit my Plateau and to be honest I was thinking “is it really worth it” but reading this I think it is, I know I still I have a long way to go and this will take time but this is my life.
I don’t do a lot of exercise and have joined gyms before but stopped because I didn’t love my body, I have a different mindset now and finding I am exercising more now and I have joined a gym again because I love my body changes so far, reading this has explained so much and the fight will continue.
Thank you and stay strong people you can do it, if I can you definitely can..
Soumya
15 July, 2021
It was nice to read that.i enjoyed reading it and got satisfaction
J.G. Dubai
11 July, 2021
Thank you so much for this very informative article. I lose 6kg in one month and now the scale is not moving, bought another new scale thought the scale was having a fault then I found this article, so helpful to continue healthy diet and moderate work outs. This helps me a lot to be patience and to quit the healthy lifestyle and set my mind for 12 weeks (3 months) without further result. I’m hopeful and not gonna go back to my old bulky me.
Suzy
10 July, 2021
Lost 24lbs. Plateauing now. I understand all in your article. Makes complete sense. Patience is key. It took me 2 months to lose it. Went on vacation then and gained 3 lbs but lost it when I was back home. Will maintain. In 2 weeks will try again.
John L
19 June, 2021
Looking for some advice here. I’ve been plateau’d for about 2 weeks. I’ve increased my workout intensity, lowered carb intake even more than before and I’m still stuck. Reading has me wondering should I not over exert myself during this intense outworks? Should I take a couple weeks off from working out? Should have a cheat day or two? I’m just really confused on what to do, and it’s kinda discouraging but I don’t wanna stop losing weight. I’ve lost 31 lbs in about 2 months but I want to lose at least another 50. What should I do, because I’m so drained from these intense workouts and struggling to see results.
Ash
28 June, 2021
Bro, take time. Rest up for 2 week s and take it easy. Then, get back on it with your diet and don’t exercise too hard. Hth
Sumayyah
17 June, 2021
Hi thank you for the article, it was extremely informative and it cleared any misunderstandings I had. I just wanted to ask what to do during the plateau, do I continue to be in a calorie deficit and workout or am I not supposed to workout to give my body time to adjust? Thank you.
Maureen Ferris
2 June, 2021
Thank you so much for your very informative article. I was starting to feel despondent about my weight loss diet as my scales are not moving after losing around 2-3lbs a week. Now I feel more positive knowing some facts as to why this is happening. I will keep working at it, I have lost 12lbs but need to lose another 14lbs, so I’m almost half way! Thank you so much.
Yogitha N sagar
19 May, 2021
My plateau is still going. It’s been 65 days I’ve noticed scale is not moving. It’s good to give body some time to adjust 🙂
Jill Adelus
11 May, 2021
Very reassuring to read..my plateau lasted 9 days & from this am i’m 1Ib 6ozs down from yesterday..it was very distressing & demoralizing but i know now it wasn’t failure just a plateau ..got to be loss for a while now.
Navi Kaur
16 April, 2021
Great Article
Ann McKeon
15 April, 2021
Very useful to know set point is a natural state. This has motivated me to continue with healthy meal choices
Jackie Tarpey
28 March, 2021
This is the most informative artical I have come across so far. I’m really struggling being stuck at the same weight after losing 60lbs. I am freezing cold and so hungrier than I’ve ever felt!! I’m 8 weeks in now and it is very disheartening. This article has definitely helped me alot. Thank you. I won’t be giving up. Life is a lot easier with lest fat and its helped my mental health more than any medication has in the past 10 years.
Rachel Krumpelman
24 August, 2021
Don’t be hungry ☹ eat watermelon, pineapple, any fruits and vegetables to curb your hunger. You shouldn’t have to feel hungry. Fruits and vegetables fill you up because they’re so full of water. Have very few calories and tons of good nutrition. Stay strong. Practice makes perfect and give yourself credit for losing 60 pounds!!! That’s an incredible amount of weight loss. 👏 way to go!!!
Virginia Harding
24 March, 2021
V interesting article,and although we had been told of this might happen ,it is encouraging to be re explained when it is happening to you.I will definitely read this again
Patrick Castan
21 March, 2021
This article needs to be shared with anyone on a weight loss journey. The way you explained the science of plateaus, and the benefits of plateaus is something I didn’t know before. I’m currently on a weight loss journey, and I was very discouraged before with working out so hard during the week with low calorie intake, and the scale numbers either stalls, or goes up. I will definitely share this article with friends and family. Thank you! 🙏🏽
Drew
8 September, 2020
This is a great and comforting explanation. I am so close to my 12%bf objective and this happened!
My question is, so now what? If I’ve been eating 1900kcal all this time, will I have to keep eating as if I was losing weight, or can I go back to 2300-2400kcal which should be maintenance for me at this weight?
FenderMan
7 May, 2021
I would suggest a two day re-feed. Eat around 2500 calories for two days in a row, then drop back down to 1900 and stay there hard for the next few weeks. That should work for you.
Cross2k
16 October, 2020
Have you got the answer for this as I’m experiencing the same problem .
Cass Myers-Charles
1 September, 2020
Thank you. So many times my weight loss has plateaued, I’ve gotten frustrated and given up. Never have I received an explanation of why my weight loss has stalled so I assumed I was doing something wrong and given up disillusioned. Now I understand that my body is “resetting”.
Dinah McAlees
6 July, 2020
Thank you! I have been stuck for weeks but this article has motivated me to continue. Dinah
