Third Struggle: Hitting Plateaus

Kevin Tamte, CPT, PN, TFW Level 1&2

Now, with the success I was having and the confidence I was gaining, things were going great, but that confidence was about to be tested quickly. I hit a plateau in my weight loss journey. The progress I had been making suddenly stopped. I found myself asking, “Why isn’t this working anymore? Is this all I can lose? What am I doing wrong?” These questions, and many more, swirled through my head.

Frustration started creeping in. I wondered if all the effort I was putting in was even worth it anymore. But as tough as it was, I knew I didn’t want to give up on the improvements I had already made. I had worked too hard and came too far to stop now. So, I decided to dig deeper and figure out what adjustments I needed to make.

I was confident that I had the exercise part down, at least that’s what I thought at the time. So, I shifted my focus to my nutrition. I started tracking what I was eating during the day, and that’s when I had an eye-opening realization. Something I probably already knew deep down but hadn’t wanted to face: I wasn’t eating enough vegetables or getting balanced, quality meals. Sure, I was eating, but I wasn’t fueling my body in a way that supported my goals.

Once I faced this truth, I began making changes. I started incorporating more vegetables into my meals. At first, it felt impossible, kind of like drinking enough water can feel when you’re used to skipping it. I could eat less healthy foods all day long, but getting even one serving of vegetables a day felt like a massive challenge. Still, I pushed myself to try. Slowly but surely, I began to consistently include veggies along with healthy proteins in my meals.

And guess what? The weight started coming off again, little by little. Progress resumed, and with it came a renewed sense of motivation.

It’s important to note that I was doing all of this with limited knowledge at the time. I was learning as I went. But even with my gaps in understanding, my commitment to keeping momentum in the right direction paid off. Later on, I’ll share more about some strategies and tools that might have helped me avoid frustration or navigate those tough moments more effectively. For now, the lesson is this: progress requires both perseverance and a willingness to adapt. When you hit a roadblock, don’t quit, reassess and keep moving forward.

Next, I’ll dive into the importance of staying consistent and how it can make all the difference in your journey.

If you want to connect regarding 1\1 personal training, programming, nutrition coaching or my Iron Brotherhood men's group please contact me at 651-815-9747 or email me at kevintamte@gmail.com