What To Do When Your Weight Loss Stalls

Have you ever started a 'diet' highly motivated, and done all the things right, but your weight loss stalled?

Or maybe you experienced a quick initial weight loss that petered out, or steady weight loss for a while, but then you hit a plateau.

Sound familiar? It happens to almost everyone, and it can be discouraging.

I use a technique called 'non-scale victories,' or NSVs, with my clients to help them feel inspired and motivated even when the number on the scale isn't moving.

What is a Non-Scale Victory?

I start every client session with the question, what went well? Each time we meet, we highlight non-scale victories and refer back to them often to inspire and motivate.

Here are 10 examples of non-scale victories my clients have shared with me, in their own words:

I have less bloating! (P.D.)

My clothes are feeling a bit looser. (S.E)

Since I added more protein, I'm never hungry. Amazing! (R.K.)

I have more energy than people half my age at work, and I feel great after a 60-minute spin class. (F.H.)

I feel like my mind is sharper. (S.C.)

I was proud of myself for getting an egg & cheese sandwich at Dunkin instead of a donut. (G.C.)

I'm wearing my summer jeans again! (O.D.)

I used the coaching tools you taught me to resist sugar at the most difficult time in my cycle. (J.M.)

I started ballroom dancing, and I love it. (E.S.)

I passed on dessert. I just didn't feel like eating it. (S.M.)

These are just a few examples of what's possible when you work through a structured, supportive coaching process. A process that holds you accountable and celebrates wins, big and small, and keeps you motivated until you reach your goal.

Excess weight is just a symptom of a larger metabolic problem. Read more about metabolic health and why it's important in What is Metabolic Health? And why should you care? For a deep dive into how insulin resistance causes weight gain, read The Insulin Resistance Chronic Disease Connection.

Learn more about my program, Personalized Nutrition Coaching to Improve Metabolic Health (including weight loss), and schedule a free strategy session to talk about what it would look like for your specific situation.

In future posts, I'll answer the questions I hear most often about weight loss.

Why do we gain weight? Why is excess weight so hard to lose, and what are the most effective strategies? What expectations for weight loss are realistic, and what factors might make your journey slower or faster than someone else's?

Stay tuned!

Until then, keep track of your own non-scale victories, and know that you are making progress with each one, no matter what the scale says.