Are you working out consistently but seeing lackluster results? Do you hit the gym for hours on end but the number on the scale isn’t budgi...
Are you working out consistently but seeing lackluster results? Do you hit the gym for hours on end but the number on the scale isn’t budging? When individuals commit to a regular physical regime to supplement diets or weight loss programs, nothing can be more discouraging then seeing no changes occur. If that’s what you’re experiencing, then it may be one of the reasons stated below. We consulted with one of the top medical weight loss centers in Southern California to determine reasons why your workout isn’t working, and for solutions to this common problem so you can start shedding unwanted pounds.
You’re not burning as many calories as you think. Does the Stairmaster or treadmill say you burned 900 calories in that hour session you just completed? Not so fast—research shows that most machines overestimate calories burned by up to 30 percent. In addition, many are faulty, and as a result, give completely inaccurate readings. Instead of counting on the machine’s reading, focus on time or distance and use information on calorie burn provided by proven research. Some weight loss programs recommend using a pedometer to track movement throughout the day to get a more accurate calorie count.
You’ve hit a plateau. If you’re doing the same workout day in and day out, then you’re bound to hit a plateau no matter how hard you exercise. Hitting the same Zumba class or jumping on the elliptical for the same amount of time every day diminishes the challenge your muscles experience, and therefore, your body doesn’t have to work as hard as it did when you first started your program. Switch it up and confuse your muscles to restart that calorie burning machine. Stimulate and challenge your system by jumping into different classes, using different gym equipment and incorporating new fitness methods into your routine, such as TRX, gymnastics classes or yoga.
You’re not burning as many calories as you think. Does the Stairmaster or treadmill say you burned 900 calories in that hour session you just completed? Not so fast—research shows that most machines overestimate calories burned by up to 30 percent. In addition, many are faulty, and as a result, give completely inaccurate readings. Instead of counting on the machine’s reading, focus on time or distance and use information on calorie burn provided by proven research. Some weight loss programs recommend using a pedometer to track movement throughout the day to get a more accurate calorie count.
You’ve hit a plateau. If you’re doing the same workout day in and day out, then you’re bound to hit a plateau no matter how hard you exercise. Hitting the same Zumba class or jumping on the elliptical for the same amount of time every day diminishes the challenge your muscles experience, and therefore, your body doesn’t have to work as hard as it did when you first started your program. Switch it up and confuse your muscles to restart that calorie burning machine. Stimulate and challenge your system by jumping into different classes, using different gym equipment and incorporating new fitness methods into your routine, such as TRX, gymnastics classes or yoga.
Your exercise program makes you too hungry. Don’t subscribe to the mentality of burning off what you eat in order to lose weight. While it’s essential to eat less calories than you burn to achieve weight loss, research shows that most people eat more when they exercise. It’s difficult to keep track of how much you truly burn through working out, so instead, aim to combine a healthy diet that stays within the calorie range necessary for you to lose weight. If you’re uncertain of what that number is, visit one of the medical weight loss centers in your area for guidance.
image: 7minutesworkouts.com
