How to Break a Weight-Loss Plateau

Is it really a plateau?

First, check your trend, not the daily number. A week of water retention can hide real fat loss. If your trend line is genuinely flat for two to three weeks, it's a plateau.

Why plateaus happen

As you lose weight, your body needs fewer calories, so the deficit that once worked shrinks. Progress naturally slows the closer you get to your goal.

Ways to break through

• Tighten consistency before changing anything drastic.
• Recheck your portions — intake tends to creep up over time.
• Add a little more daily movement.
• Be patient: plateaus often break on their own with consistency.

Keep tracking

A clear trend tells you whether a change is working. Give each adjustment two weeks before judging it.