We’re learning more about the science behind weight loss every day, but most everyone agrees on the two fundamentals: a safe, sustainable, healthy diet and regular exercise. But, what if your weight plateaus with these tried-and-true methods? Does that mean you need to go on a restrictive diet?
Not at all! You may just need to think outside the box. These four unexpected tools might be exactly what you need to break through those barriers and finally meet your weight loss goals.
1. Steady Protein Intake
Protein is a powerful tool for those looking to lose weight, and how and when you incorporate protein into your diet could have a huge impact on the number you see on the scale. Try distributing your protein throughout the day, eating 20 to 40 grams of protein across three to five meals or snacks.
IsaLean® Shake falls right into this sweet spot at 24 grams of protein per serving, but anyone experiencing a weight loss plateau can bump up to IsaLean PRO Shake, with 36 grams of protein, to increase their overall protein intake.
There are more benefits to protein than just weight loss. When combined with exercise, regular protein consumption supports muscle building and maintenance. The extra muscle gained can help your body burn even more fat for better results.
Protein, muscle, weight loss — they’re all connected!
2. Adequate Sleep
We all know lack of sleep can wreck your mood and impede mental clarity. But, did you realize that on average, people who are sleep deprived consume about 385 calories more than they normally would the next day? To make things worse, those extra calories tend to come from junk food and empty calories.
Simply put, when you don’t rest your body, you eat like crap, so set aside time for beauty sleep.
3. Strength and Resistance Training
Most people think cardio is the best type of exercise for weight loss, and they’re right…mostly. Aerobic exercises like running and biking are the most effective ways to burn calories and lose weight, but they’re not the best for burning fat and maintaining your body’s muscle mass. That’s where strength training comes in.
An all-cardio routine does burn calories and fat, but without strength training (and the proper protein intake) you could lose some muscle, too. To meet all your weight loss goals and keep your body strong and toned, you’re going to want that extra muscle. Plus, muscle helps boost metabolism and burn fat!
Interested in how resistance training affects the body? Read more here.
4. Proper Stress Management
Daily stress is just a mental issue, right? Wrong. Just like sleep deprivation, continuous stress can lead to poor food and health choices. Ever heard the term “stress eating?” That’s what can happen when ongoing stress from an overwhelming lifestyle takes over.
One study found that increased cortisol (stress hormone) levels were associated with a reduction in dietary restraint and increased calorie intake. And as you can probably imagine, stress eating doesn’t usually involve fresh fruits and vegetables. When we’re stressed, we eat junk.
But, this problem requires a complex solution. Most of us can’t just eliminate stress from our lives by quitting our jobs or fleeing from obligations, so the key is to manage the stress we do have. Options range from daily meditation to products like Ionix® Supreme that combat the negative effects of stress.† If you adjust your lifestyle to better manage stress, you might just see better weight loss results.
As you can see, there are many methods you can try to safely push through a weight loss plateau. Stay tuned to IsaFYI.com for more information on weight loss, diet, and general wellness.
†This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
