Nothing is more terribly frustrating then a weight loss plateau. The scales go down in your favor week by week, and then suddenly, (usually after 10 weeks), your pounds are ceasing to drop off. Many times it has been estimated that the body has settled into this weight loss mode now for some time, and because of this, decides to stop losing. This has to do with changes in the body since you've started your weight loss plan. Let me explain further here, the theory of what the body really does.

A lot of times, the main reason for reaching a frustrating plateau may have to do with glycogen stores. What are glycogen stores anyhow? Well, when you first set out on your goal of weight loss, your body throws out the response by letting go of your stored glycogen. Glycogen is actually a type of carbohydrate which is part of your body's muscles. And, not to mention, this carbohydrate is found in your liver. The typical job of glycogen is to hold onto water in the body. But as this stored carbohydrate is burned for energy, water will be released instead of held. As you lessen your daily calorie allowance, your glycogen which is stored, will continue to burn off. This is what we want to have happen. But once glycogen is now burned off, we are down to fat. Fat, unlike glycogen, will not hang on to water. And fat, unlike glycogen stores, is harder to burn off from the body, and therefore it now takes more effort to lose the weight.

So keeping that theory in mind regarding glycogen and fat, you will obviously need to make some changes in order to get over your weight loss plateau. The following are ideas that should cause you to have a breakthrough at some point:

1.You can wake up your weight loss again by adding some extra activity into your plan. An extra walk daily or new exercises may help.

2. Be sure you also keep a journal of what you are eating. Are you writing EVERYTHING down? Even when you have gone off your weight loss plans, you should record it. Having selective amnesia may not be written on your tracker, but the scale will likely record it!

3. Double check your portion sizes. You might want to weigh them and see if you're still correct in how much you are really eating.

4. How about your water intake? Are you drinking the right amount of at least six glasses a day? If you have slacked off on this part of your weight loss plan, that may also explain a plateau.

5. Try some different healthy foods or recipes. Maybe too many of the same foods over and over again are placing your body at a standstill.

By doing these things I have mentioned here, your weight loss should begin again, and the scale should begin tipping in your favor eventually. The thing is, to hang in there, even though it is frustrating, and in the end, your goal will be reached!