Why Am I Losing Weight So Slowly?

When diet products promise rapid weight loss and celebrities seem to drop weight almost instantly, it can be frustrating when your weight loss is slow and steady. Losing weight slowly is actually a preferable way to drop excess pounds. Dropping pounds too quickly can alter your metabolism and is a dangerous way to manage your waistline. If you're frustrated with your weight-loss progress, a change in your routine may be in order.

Causes

Poor eating and fitness habits could be sabotaging your would-be weight-loss success. When you eat more calories than you need daily or don't burn enough calories, you could experience slow or even nonexistent weight loss. By creating a weight-loss plan for yourself, you can experience a safe rate of weight loss while still experiencing a modest amount of success. If you cannot lose weight at all, it could be the result of a medical issue, like hypothyroidism or a hormone imbalance.

Weight-Loss Plan

Creating a healthy weight-loss plan for yourself gives you a clear path to a sensible rate of weight loss. Losing weight at a rate of 1 or 2 lbs. per week only is most healthy. This means creating a 500 to 1,000 calorie deficit between the calories you consume and the calories you burn each day for a week. To do this, eat healthy foods that are low in calories yet high in nutrients as you get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.

Fast Vs. Slow

Weight-loss reality shows and magazine articles have made it seem like the norm to drop a large amount of excess weight quickly. When weekly weigh-ins show that contestants have lost 10 lbs. in a week, you might be frustrated at your slow rate of weight loss. Using fad diets, unhealthy eating habits and diet aids to lose weight may accelerate your rate of weight loss, but they are short-lived. Instead, learning healthy habits for life creates weight-loss maintenance for long-term results.

Jumpstart Sluggish Results

If you're losing weight at a rate even slower than 1 lb. per week, you may need to alter your diet and exercise plan. Ensure that you're eating only the calories that your body needs to function and are choosing healthy foods to fuel your body. If you've only tried one form of exercise, try something new to use new muscles and burn even more calories. If no changes bring about weight loss, see your doctor about a possible medical condition that could be preventing your from weight-loss success.

 (Guest post)
Readmore: http://www.livestrong.com/article/393963-why-am-i-losing-weight-so-slowly/#ixzz1luMhE4lw