This is what nutritionists do when they want to lose 3 kilos

Picture this: You’re just three kilos shy of your target weight loss goal, but a week goes by, two weeks go by, and the scale stays the same, despite working out and eating healthy. And no, it’s not broken. So, what gives? The truth is as you’re losing weight, you’re losing body mass, meaning your body will need fewer kilojoules than before. In other words, your diet and exercise routine may need to be modified to your new weight. To get more insight on how to shed the last three kilos, we spoke with two registered dietitians who reveal what they do if they want to lose weight.

When dietitian Jennifer Vimbor feels her clothes getting snug, she starts a food journal to keep track of what she eats during the day. As she records her eating habits, she looks for what’s not right or working in her situation. “It tends to be fibre is low and fat intake is high,” she says. Based on what she records in her journal, Vimbor may eat more fibre and make sure she drinks enough water throughout the day.

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Multivitamins and probiotics give your body the vitamins you might miss if you’re cutting back on kilojoules and help regulate your digestive system. Vimbor recommends a simple one-a-day vitamin, preferably one without a lot of lofty claims or high levels of any one nutrient. When choosing one, look at the inactive ingredient list. If there are two or fewer ingredients listed, it’s probably a good vitamin. For probiotics, Vimbor says only 10 to 20 billion colony units or organisms per serving is needed. “Anything more than that is not needed to get the therapeutic effects,” she says.

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Avoiding processed foods means steering clear of as many boxed foods as possible. “Foods without a label are great,” Vimbor says, such as fruits and vegetables. She recommends eating foods with five or fewer ingredients if you’re trying to watch your weight or just stay healthy.

How much rest you get can help or hinder your weight loss.  A lack of sleep could be stopping you from losing those three kilos, according to dietitian, Kate Merkle. “People need restful and adequate sleep,” she says.

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As you’re eating, notice what is truly satisfying your appetite. Those are the foods you want to continue giving your body so you avoid feeling deprived. “Folks tend to eat less because the food is satisfying,” Merkle says.

When you do the same exercise routine every day, your body adapts to the routine and needs something new to challenge it. “If you’ve been doing the same workout for a long time, it’s time to mix it up,” Vimbor says. Merkle advises picking an activity you enjoy, rather than forcing yourself to do cardio or other trendy exercises. “Make sure you’re aligning with your values through your physical activity,” she adds.

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Vimbor says cutting back on kilojoules can actually cause you to gain weight in the long run. Cutting kilojoules usually leads to overeating later when you get so hungry and can’t stand it any longer. “Kilos come back on quickly when you cut kilojoules drastically,” Vimbor says. When it comes to kilojoules, quality trumps quantity. Fill up on quality fruits and vegetables of all colours and eat good grains. You won’t feel deprived, and you’ll be giving your body good foods.

What you’re eating is only part of the equation. Some people eat when they’re bored or when they feel anxious. Merkle advises her clients to slow down and be mindful of what and why they’re eating. By recognising and addressing bored or stressful feelings, you can retake control of your eating habits and recognise overeating when it happens.

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Losing any weight – even three kilos – takes time. “When you really want to make real changes,” Merkle explains, “it can take longer than our culture or brain tells us.” Though you may be tempted to try the get-thin-fast diets that promise quick weight-loss results, avoid the temptation. Slow and steady really does win the race.

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Source: RD.com