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You have been following your weight loss regime like clockwork and it is working. You should be proud since you are only 5 pounds away from your final goal. Each week you get on the scale with a smile upon your face. Then, all of a sudden there is no movement on that scale. It is now three weeks later and you are ready to grab that Oreo cookie, but don't. You have just hit that infamous plateau that everyone goes through.

Do not get discourage. That is just not acceptable especially with all the good effort you have put in. Conquer this temporary hold-up with some or all of the five top plateau busters.

1) Drink Water Only

Skip the tea, coffee and diet drinks for one week. Let your body detoxify anything artificial from your system. Rebuild your body by cutting out what you have been drinking as a beverage and that includes a sports drink. If you drink a sports drink regularly after workouts, you'll end up in exactly the situation you're concerned about by consuming more calories than you burn off. Instead try water and see if that does the trick.

2) Re-evaluate Your Current Exercise Program

If you have been doing the same form of cardio for five days a week during your entire weight loss program, you will likely hit that plateau. Not only that, you are probably bored besides. Try something different. Variety to any exercise program is the key to success. Opt for a Jazzercise class, jump rope or roller blade in the park. Another exercise tip is to increase your amount of daily exercise by ten minutes.

3) Add More Fibre

Although you have been careful in eating healthy choices, an internal cleansing can help release toxin-laden fluids and waste. Just as water does the detoxification an internal cleansing can sometimes allow you to lose a few pounds, thus busting the plateau.On certain food products, remember, that in order for them to take something fattening or sweetening out, usually means that something artificial is placed in to replace it for taste. These substitutions sometimes can be a culprit to creating a plateau in your weight loss program.

4) Revisit your Food Choices.

Look over your food diary and recheck your caloric intake. You may find out that you are actually consuming more calories than you thought. Another common offender can be too many carbs, even though they are needed for a boast of energy. Rearrange your food intake and see if that doesn't push you past that plateau. In many cases, you can easily lose ten pounds simply by cutting soda out of your life. Look for any empty calories that you are consuming and get rid of them!

5) Ask for Assistance.

This does not mean you have failed. How could you? After all, you have come this far and are down the home stretch. You are only having a minor setback, so fear not. Head to and turn to support, motivation and information from a trainer, nutritionist or family physician during this temporary slump.

Learn more about this author, Veronica Shine.
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