Are You a Debbie? © Dr. Eileen Silva 2006

I would like to discuss my friend, Debbie, with you. Debbie has been trying to lose weight for years. Like many others, even you perhaps, she experiences this typical weight loss scenario:

Phase One: “Debbie” starts on a program that guarantees weight and inch loss. She follows the program faithfully and easily loses 9 pounds over a 6-week period.

Phase Two: She hits a standstill with weight loss, but she continues the protocol just like before. Her weight stays the same for the next two weeks. Her at first exciting weight drop is now being overshadowed by unmistakable discouragement. She is ready to quit. She begins to slack off being as faithful to the program as before. A few pounds creep back. Sound familiar?

Phase Three: She quits the program and says it didn’t work . . . She winds up bigger and heavier than she was when she started. Another failure.

Perhaps you know someone like Debbie or maybe even YOU are like Debbie. What has happened to Debbie and others like her? The answer is simple. She has hit a plateau.

You should expect to reach plateaus, no matter what weight loss program you choose. These natural occurrences show you that your body is adjusting to a new “lower level” weight set point. I encourage you to welcome a reasonable plateau and respond with gratitude that your body is learning to like a new more desirable size and weight level. You need to keep positive thoughts about how great it is that you have stabilized.

It is always vitally important to drink your 8+ glasses of pure water a day, but it is especially critical when weight loss ceases. Your body systems need adequate water to function normally. Often, you will experience sluggishness in major body areas, like the liver and colon, from a build-up of toxins. If you cleanse the colon and liver, it will allow your organs to function properly.

You will find exercise helpful when you experience a weight loss slowdown, because exercise stimulates toxin removal and lean tissue ratio improvement. You will also find a daily hot bath to be stress relieving, which can help greatly in your weight-loss regimen. Stress, as you undoubtedly know, can be a major factor in preventing weight loss.

When you hit a plateau in your weight-loss program, remember to continue the regimen, drink extra water, exercise, de-stress, and congratulate yourself on reaching this level. Before you know it, you will find yourself moving on to the next clothing size, and, yes, to the next plateau.