Body weight control: plateau and set point

Question
What's the difference between body weight plateau and body weight set point? Can one change the set point or it's all only theoretical? Why does the plateau happen?

Answer
Veronika,

You hit the plateau when your body decides that there's no need to lose more weight no matter what you think or what you try. Your body weight at this point is fixed because of the set point, this is why you stopped losing weight.

So, weight loss plateau is the result, the body weight set point is the cause. They both are real, not just a theory though it's all in your head (in the brain, to be exact).

Please read my article "Set point to blame for weight loss plateau" for details:

http://atkinszone-home.blogspot.com/2008/05/set-point-to-blame-for-weight-loss.h...

To fight the weight loss plateau, try to identify what happened before you hit it. Most common reasons are:

1. You dieted too long so your body got too comfortable

2. Your diet was too restrictive so your body got defensive and forced you to the conservation mode

3. You exercised too little

4. Believe it or not, maybe you exercised too much

5. You started lacking essential nutrients

I've compiled a checklist for the plateau, see if it can help:

http://atkinszone-home.blogspot.com/2008/10/weight-loss-plateau-checklist.html


Tanya Zilberter

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