First, during the period of weight loss, particularly with an aggressive, low calorie diet, the body sheds large amounts of water.  Just remember that over 60% of the body is composed of water and that water weighs more than fat.  It takes time for the kidneys to realize that during this weight loss the body is gradually being dehydrated.  Then the kidneys actually work harder to restore this water balance, and the weight either stays the same or slightly increases.

The second reason for a plateau is that during the process of a weight loss there is also a loss of muscle mass in addition to fat.  Muscle is the body's main "furnace" for burning calories.  With loss of muscle, the calorie loss per day drops and sometimes reaches a level in which calorie intake matches calories burned.  In this case, again, the body's weight continues to be unchanged or even increases.

Whatever your weight goal might be, you should not consume less than 1200 calories per day; consume eight,8-ounce glasses of water a day to keep the body's water balance.  It is also important to exercise in order to minimize the loss of muscle while dieting.

This problem is not unique and that you simply have to be patient while dealing with it.  Divide your total amount of weight-loss goal into segments and then work on losing one segment at a time with a period weight maintenance in-between before moving onto the next segment.

And remember to alter your attitudes as well as your eating habits....

Submitted by Diane Lancaster: I am a long-standing member of Take Off Pounds Sensibly.  Nutrition has been a way of life.  I successfully lost 30 lbs over 35 years ago and manage to keep that weight in control ever since by eating sensible.  Nutrition is all a matter of balance.