Rut Busters

Significant weight loss doesn't just happen overnight. It takes time, effort and commitment. Keeping it off can be even harder, especially if you begin to experience weight loss burnout. We all face this in our weight loss quest. Even contestants from the Biggest Loser face temptations that lure them away from their healthy habits. Here are some rut busterss and solutions from Meghan Rabbitt of 24 Hour Fitness:

You get down when the scale stalls. Not seeing all-time lows when you weight yourself can derail anyone's progress. "As you get closer to your goal weight, the pounds will start coming off more slowly - and it can make you feel like you've lost momentum," says Jenn Burke, fitness manager at teh Chesterfield Sport 24 Hour Fitness in Missouri.
The Solution: Quit the scale and pull out a measuring tape. If you're still getting a good mix of cardio and strength training, you're likely still losing inches - even if your weight isn't budging, says Burke. And proof of that whittling waistline will help keep you motivated!

You get out of 'diet' mode. Once you're in your skinny jeans, you many be more likely to hit the buffet with abandon. "When you've reached your goal, it's easier to lose awareness of how many calories are in certain foods," says Janel Bilal, a training at the College Grove Magic Johnson Sport in Carson, California.
The Solution: Induldge - but make up for it with a workout. When Ali Vincent, Biggest Loser season six winner, gives in to temptation, she makes it a point to sweat off those extra calories. "It's a choice," says Vincent. "Either you make the choice to have the chocolate cake and work out more, or you eat the cake, do nothing and gain weight."

You hit a dreaded plateau and lose your mojo. Months of doing the same cardio and weights circuit may have worked wonders for a while, but eventually, your muscle fibers master those movements and don't need as much energy to do them (meaning: your body stos ravaging for extra calories to complete the task). The result? You get frustrated that your go-to routine isn't working anymore.
The Solution: Mix things up. To give your body the stimulus it needs, try something you've never done before. Sign up for a 5K race if you usually use the elliptical, or use free weights if you're always on the weight machines. Even better: try a team sport, like volleyball or indoor soccer, to work your muscles in ways that are hard to mimic at the gym.