[joanasevilyboaz]

After an extended weight loss, our bodies try very hard to maintain the status quo or an equilibium, as Tril mentioned.

The New Diet Revolution book has a whole chapter on how to deal with stalls, but here are some quick tips:

1. Make a dramatic change in the way you are eating. The idea is to bump your body out of the status quo. The change could be eating smaller portions spread out among more meals, changing the foods you are eating, adding spices, increasing the fiber in your food, or anything that will make your body sit up and take notice that something new is happening. Just don't increase your carb count or the calories you are taking in.

2. Make a dramatic change in the way you are exercising. Add more strenuous activity for long periods over at least a couple of days. For me, I can break out of a stall if I take two days and spend several hours of each of those days doing something very active, like hiking or bicycling or working on my house. Or you could start a strength-training/weight-lifting routine, half an hour a day, every other day. Or add cardio 4 or 5 days per week. Pick something that you enjoy.

3. If the stall continues, you may want to start keeping closer count on your carbs. It's easy to miss hidden carbs or forget what you ate earlier in the day. A food journal can help. You can choose to put it aside after getting out of your stall if you want.

4. A stall can actually be beneficial because it gives your skin a chance to catch up with your smaller body. Keep your skin moisturized and hydrated, and exercise all your muscles to encourage your skin to adhere to your muscle. Get a massage. These steps can help you avoid the hanging excess skin that so many of us end up with after a big weight loss.

By the way, the dramatic change you make in your eating and/or exercising doesn't have to be permanent. Ideally, you will keep making changes as you progress in your weight loss, kind of like you're keeping your body surprised as you go along.

I hope that helps!