Are you following a low-carb diet, but not losing weight? Have you tried a “Low Carb Diet Plan For Weight Loss” and didn’t lose a pound? Or maybe you lost some weight in the beginning, but have reached a plateau?

In this article, I will show you how to blast through that plateau and lose weight again with a low-carb diet. I’ll also tell you why measuring your progress by weight loss alone is sometimes confusing and deceptive and maybe even self-defeating. I’m going to give you a much better way to track progress; one that’s sure to tell the whole story and encourage you every step of the way! Remember, fat loss is not always the same as weight loss!

Low-carb diet plans for weight gain are a strong ally against some of the biggest health problems that plague the world today. While I like a low-carb diet, we all remain unique and it doesn’t always work for everyone.

Most people who give it an honest try do quite well and lose weight without restricting calories or feeling hungry. However, after a few weeks, some people reach a plateau. The weight may have fallen off at the beginning, but now the scale won’t budge. If you reached a  plateau or just the results you are harvesting/harvested are not as satisfying as you expected, here are a few suggestions that would explain why:

Are you Eating Real, Whole Foods?

Eating a low-carbohydrate diet is not just about lowering your intake of carbohydrates.  It is about eating real, whole, nutritious foods. Go through your pantry and kitchen and eliminate all processed foods. This includes protein bars, snack foods, and sugary beverages.

Also read: Sugar Addition […and How To Break It!]

Choose lean meats like chicken or fish, eggs, vegetables, and healthy fats such as coconut oil, avocado, and nuts. While certain foods such as cookies and brownies may be made with healthy ingredients, they should NOT be eaten every day. Cutting back on processed carbohydrates is the way to go, however, you want to make sure you are eating good fats that will keep you full and satiated.

Weight Loss Is A Process

The human body is made up of many different tissues including the fat under the skin as well as the fat inside the abdominal area.

However, our bodies are made up of 60% water and other tissues such as muscle and bone also contribute to a significant portion of our total body weight. If you’ve recently started exercising, then good chances are that you’re adding some muscle mass to your frame. If you’re female, then your weight may fluctuate slightly according to your hormonal cycles.

Your weight may also be affected by what you ate yesterday, your hydration status, and how long since you visited the toilet. All those things can cause minor fluctuations in body weight. Therefore, even if the scale doesn’t budge a few days or even weeks, it doesn’t mean you’re not losing body fat.

Are You Really Stalling?

While the scale is a useful tool to measure weight loss results, it does not tell the whole story. In fact, constantly weighing yourself can be self-defeating at best. What you’re after ultimately is burning body fat.

You can have your body fat measured by a nutritionist or simply use a measuring tape to measure your waist circumference, arms, and thighs. Take a picture of yourself every two to four weeks without clothes or in a bathing suit. You will be able to really see the progress you are making.

Some people don’t even use a scale. They go by how they feel, how they look, and how their clothes fit.

Are you really eating a low-carb diet plan for weight loss?

Are you eating fresh, whole, natural foods every day?  Are you having a ‘cheat’ meal more often than not?  Are you really eating low-carb?

Knowing the amount of carbohydrates in a food may surprise you.  You may find that you are eating more than 100-150 grams of carbohydrates per day and this could definitely cause you to stop losing weight. There are some foods that can be problematic. Nuts and high-fat dairy products such as cheese are acceptable to eat, but they still are very high in calories and easy to overeat.

If you’re eating nuts and/or cheese every day, between meals, in large amounts, then you should probably cut back and see if the weight doesn’t suddenly start moving again. I’m personally not against potatoes and some healthy non-gluten grains from time to time, but to break through a weight loss plateau you might want to eat nothing but protein, fat and low-carb veggies for a while.

Cheat meals can be problematic. I’m not entirely against the occasional cheat meal if it is moderate and doesn’t make you go 5,000 calories over your expenditure for the day. Try sticking to whole, natural carbs instead of junk food during your “cheat” meals. If that doesn’t work, skip the cheat meals altogether for a while. When it comes down to it, weight loss is still a matter of calories. Again, try logging your food intake for a while to see how many carbs and calories you are taking in.

If they greatly exceed your requirements, then maybe you’re just eating too damn much. Understanding a low-carb diet plan for weight loss is important.

Are You Exercising?

Of course, what you eat is very important when it comes to weight loss, however, regular exercise is definitely part of any healthy lifestyle.

Weight training exercises combined with cardiovascular workouts work best.  Aim for strength training at least 2-3 times per week and make a point of walking or riding a bike every day.

If you’re completely sedentary, then you are (in my opinion) effectively broken. You’re not living life even close to your genetic potential. Get moving!

Is Any Medical Condition Getting in Your Way?

It is no secret that many medications can cause weight gain or make it impossible to lose weight. If you are taking any medication, read the list of side effects. Weight gain may be on the list, and if so, make an appointment with your doctor.

He or she may suggest an alternative drug or perhaps the dosage can be lowered to avoid the weight gain. If you are eating healthy and exercising on a regular basis and still not seeing results, there may be an underlying medical problem that should be addressed.

There are many hormonal disorders that can make it impossible to lose weight such as hypothyroidism. Your doctor can rule out any health issues or concerns that might be hindering your ability to lose weight and get healthy.

Do You Have A Healthy Lifestyle?

Are you stressed out? Are you getting enough sleep every night?

Identifying and dealing with stressors in your life through yoga or meditation, for example, is the way to go. Poor sleep and stress can chronically elevate your cortisol levels, which is bad and can hinder your weight loss.

Turn the computer and television off before bedtime.  Read a book, meditate, or enjoy a cup of chamomile tea before bed.  All of these activities will help calm your mind and body so you can get a good night’s rest.

Be Realistic

Losing fat takes time. A pound per week is a reasonable goal. Two pounds per week is perhaps too ambitious for some people. We’ve all heard stories of those people who lose a ridiculous amount of weight in a short amount of time. 100 pounds in a year? Wow, impressive, but this is the exception, not the norm.

When you get closer to your goal weight, losing those last pounds becomes multiple times harder. Those last few stubborn ounces of body fat over your abdomen may seem impossible to get rid of. When you reach this point, I think it is time to take it easy. Continue eating healthy, continue exercising, live your life to the fullest, and stop focusing too much on those last few pounds. Hopefully, they will go away with time.

We also have to be realistic. Not everyone can lose all the weight they want. People who have been obese for a long time may not be able to completely reverse it. Perhaps the best thing to do in that scenario is to just enjoy your improved health and well-being and maintain this for life.

You will live longer, feel better, and have peace of mind knowing that you did everything you could.

Handy Hints

I don’t really talk much about intermittent fasting on the keto diet on this blog, but I do know that it is a technique that can improve health and accelerate weight loss.

If this is something you would like to consider, make sure you do not have any medical issues such as Type-2 Diabetes. Then skipping breakfast and lunch and not eating until dinner one day of the week may make a large difference. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is another technique that can get things moving. Sprints, hill sprints, even rope skipping or cycling, doing these intervals can be very effective.

Also, there are a ton of “low carb diets” and one might suit you significantly better than another. Do some research on the following and see if they might be a better fit. (in alphabetical order)

• Atkins Diet
• Eco-Atkins Diet
• Bulletproof Diet
• Dukan Diet
• Keto Diet
• Scandinavian Low Carb, High-Fat Diet (LCHF)
• Paleo Diet
• Slow Carb Diet
• South Beach Diet
• Whole30 Diet
• Zero Carb Diet
• Zone Diet

Final Thoughts

When it comes down to a low-carb diet plan for weight loss, it is still all about eating healthy, exercising, and living a healthy lifestyle. It’s simple, and fun, and the rewards are life-long. If you’re not losing weight or have reached a plateau, then these pointers above should keep you busy for a while trying out new things in order to get that damned scale moving again. Have you ever gone through a weight loss plateau and managed to break through it successfully?

FAQS ABOUT LOW CARB DIET PLAN FOR WEIGHT LOSS 

Q: What is a Low Carb Diet Plan for Weight Loss?

A low-carb diet limits carbs, which are present in bread, pasta, and sweet foods. It has lots of healthful veggies, fat, and protein. Low-carb diets come in a variety of forms, and research indicates that they can help people lose weight and get healthier.

Q: How does a Low Carb Diet differ from other weight loss plans?

Low-carb diets can facilitate meal planning, the search for affordable meals, and long-term adherence because they are frequently less restrictive.

Q: Is a Low Carb Diet suitable for everyone?

No single diet is ideal or effective for everyone. The greatest diet is ultimately the one you can maintain over time. Therefore, the low-carb diet might not be the best option for you if you detest meat but adore bread. Recall that low-carb does not equate to zero carbs!

Q: Can I customize the Low Carb Diet to my preferences?

Yes, it’s adaptable, allowing personalization based on food preferences and nutritional needs.

Q: What are the primary sources of carbs to avoid on this diet?

White bread, pastries, sodas, and other highly processed or refined meals are among the unhealthier sources of carbs. These foods include quickly absorbed carbs, which can impede weight loss, cause weight gain, and increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Q: What are the potential side effects of a Low Carb Diet?

Initial side effects may include fatigue, dizziness, and digestive changes, often termed the “keto flu.”

Q: How long does it take to see results on a Low Carb Diet for weight loss?

Less fat at the beginning of a low-carb diet usually results in slower weight loss than more fat at the beginning. People may lose between 1/2 and 2 pounds a week after the first few weeks of a low-carb diet; this is seen to be a more sustainable rate of weight loss.

Q: Can I exercise while on a Low Carb Diet?

Yes, exercise is encouraged; however, adjustments may be needed during the initial adaptation phase.

Q: Are there specific meal plans or recipes recommended for a Low Carb Diet?

Yes, many resources provide meal plans and recipes to help individuals navigate low-carb eating.

Q: Is the Low Carb Diet sustainable for long-term weight maintenance?

Yes, for many people, a low-carb diet can be maintained for long-term weight management. Diets low in carbohydrates, like the Atkins diet and the ketogenic diet, are distinguished by an increase in the intake of protein and good fats and a decrease in carbs.

Related Post 

• How Many Grams of Sugar Per Day (2024)

• Paleo Diet Meal Plan For Weight Loss: What to Eat on Paleo Diet?(2024)

• Are Low-Carb Diet Meal Plans Hard To Stick To?

Please tell us all how you did it in the comments because, in the end, it’s really all about what works for you.

Neha Pant