It is not uncommon for people to become horribly overwhelmed with working out simply because they can’t get the results they want. It’s not that these people are being impatient or that they are looking for an easy way out. It is simply that some people don’t lose weight as fast as others. Some can reach weight loss plateaus that seem impenetrable. Others have stubborn areas that seem to be unaffected by working out and diet. So, what is one to do when the pounds simple don’t want to leave? How can a person overcome these obstacles?

It is very essential to understand, if you are trying to get fit, that no plan is perfect. There is no fool proof way to reach the ultimate goal. For most people, there is a system of trial and error that takes place before real results are ever seen. The reason for this is very simple – not all workouts are created equally and a single exercise form doesn’t work the same for everyone. If you are finding it difficult to shed the unwanted pounds, then it may be a good time to consider a new plan.

When is it Time For a Change? Not everyone that is struggling needs to redesign their work out plan. For some, it could be a different variable at play. For instance, some people, when starting to workout, find that they are hungrier than they were before. This is natural. The body is burning more calories, so it believes it needs more. However, if you eat more calories than you were before you started working out, then you are negating the calories burned when performing the exercise. Rather than increasing caloric intake, consider changing the foods that you have been eating. A candy bar, while convenient, offers no nutrition and will not keep you feeling full for very long at all. On the other hand, foods high in fiber, such as apples, bananas, and even some granola bars, give you the same boost but take longer to be broken down and digested. Thus, the body feels full longer. Small changes like this can help with the near hunger pains and you will likely find that the weight begins to fall off much faster.

Other people forget that the body makes several changes when one begins a new workout routine. Though the scale doesn’t show your results clearly, they may be seen in other ways. Consider the fit of your pants, the shape of your arms, or the definition in your legs. If you are seeing new muscle and a smaller waistline, it very well could be that the scale is deceiving you. Muscle weighs more than fat, so at points in the process, you could actually plateau or even gain weight, even though your body is still shedding fat.

If neither of these things makes sense for you, yet those stubborn pounds won’t go away, then it might be time to consider the change of pace.

Where to Go With it? Changing your workout routine doesn’t have to involve a huge shift in thinking and action. You don’t necessarily have to quite what you are doing. Rather, consider making small changes. For instance, you might want to increase the time spent on cardio. If you are only doing fifteen minutes on the treadmill when you go to the gym, then consider upping it to twenty-five minutes. If you don’t enjoy the treadmill, consider opting for the elliptical, bike, or even the pool. You could even switch it up and change the type of cardio you do from day to day to keep things interesting. As for the weight lifting component, you might want to make small adjustments here as well. Many people make the mistake of lifting heavy weights. This only serves to add bulk. Instead, choose a weight that better suits your abilities and do more repetitions of each exercise. This will help build endurance, and will create muscles that are long, thin and tone, versus big and bulky. It can also get your heart rate up, which will help you shed those unwanted pounds.

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