Weight Loss Tips: Scale Won't Budge? Here's What to Do

By Diana Kelly

10 Ways to Jump-Start Weight Loss Once You've Hit a Plateau

You were on the losing track for weeks — shedding pounds and inches, and feeling great about your progress. But the last few times you stepped on the scale, the needle stayed put. What gives? Is this all the weight your body will ever shed? Are you destined to weigh this much forever?

You've hit a weight loss plateau, an expected part of your journey toward a lower number on that scale. Instead of treating that number as a reason for discouragement, consider it a “check in” point — a chance to assess what you've been doing and make some modifications to get you back on track toward your goal weight.

"A plateau is a natural resting point," says Liz Josefsberg, a weight loss coach and Weight Watchers group leader of 10 years. "Take the stress and drama out of it and acknowledge that it's time to make some changes — that what you've been doing that was working now needs to be tweaked."

But what to tweak when you feel like you've been doing all the right things? After all, you did get this far. We sought the advice of experts who work with clients on this very question. Here are their tips to get the scale moving again.

Diana Kelly is a New York City–based writer and editor with more than seven years' experience covering health topics and writing for women's and men's health websites. You can follow her on Twitter @DianaKelly or check out her website, DianaKelly.com.

Reviewed by Shira Goldenholz, MD, MPH on June 22, 2014