Is there anything more frustrating than hitting a fat-loss plateau? You’ve been following your carefully planned workout routine and eating a broad range of healthy foods but the pounds refuse to budge.
In this article, we take a look at how to break a weight-loss plateau, providing some practical tips to help get your fat-loss journey back on track.
1. Switch up your workout routine
Workout progress may slow over time – believe us! If you have a consistent workout plan, your body can get used to the exercise. When this happens, your body no longer needs to adapt to the rigours of your workout, so your gym progress slows and you burn fewer calories.
Changing things can make the world of difference. Just altering the speed of your cardio sessions or increasing the weights that you lift – or the number of reps – can force your body out of its rut, so it has to adapt and burn more calories.
If that doesn’t appeal, try swapping your usual routine for something completely different. Not only is it good for your body, but it’s also good for coordination as you start to master new moves.
2. Get more protein
If you’re dieting, there’s a chance your body may not be getting enough nutrients, which may slow fat loss, especially if you’re exercising more.
Why? Because you may be losing muscle at the same time as fat – but your body needs to maintain muscle tissue to continue burning fat!
To counteract the effects, try increasing the amount of lean protein in your diet – or taking a supplement. It will give your body the building blocks it needs to build muscle, so you can combat your fat-loss plateau. A 2005 study suggests that the amino acid leucine, found in Amino Recovery, may be particularly beneficial for replenishing muscle.
3. Eat your greens
Of course, if you’re dieting, you’re likely to be monitoring your calories. But are you keeping an eye on your fibre intake?
Soluble fibre, commonly found in oats, nuts, beans and apples, forms a gel in the intestines, which slows the absorption of protein, carbohydrates and fats into the bloodstream. It can even stop some calories from being absorbed completely.
Researchers have also found that it may also help to regulate appetite by releasing a chemical during digestion, which signals to the brain that you’re no longer hungry.
How do you like them apples?
4. Take time out
That’s right: stress can cause a fat-loss plateau.
That’s because it causes the body to release a hormone called cortisol (aka ‘the stress hormone’), which is part of the fight or flight reaction. It causes a decrease in blood sugar levels, which makes many of us reach out for calorie-laden comfort food.
Plus, a recent study demonstrated that women with high levels of cortisol may also have high levels of visceral fat around their bellies.
Want to combat stress? Build a self-care routine into your schedule so you have time to unwind and reset your cortisol levels.
5. Get more sleep
Yes, we’re obsessed with sleep at Team Amino. And with good reason. Sleep has so many benefits for the body and the mind. But when it comes to weight loss, it could be your secret weapon.
As with stress, poor sleep can mean you make poor choices when it comes to food and drink, while also increasing the chances of skipping the gym.
Not only that, but good-quality sleep can aid your muscle recovery. Human growth hormones are released while you sleep, aiding muscle repair and growth.
Aim to get between six and eight hours’ shut-eye per night by reducing your caffeine intake and switching off devices at least 30 minutes before going to bed.
Read our recent article about the benefits of sleep.
Want more tips and guidance?
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