# What is the reason for the dieting plateau?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-reason-for-the-dieting-plateau/250124
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [June 13, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-reason-for-the-dieting-plateau/250124 "2004-06-13T15:41:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-reason-for-the-dieting-plateau/250124/1 "2004-06-13T15:41:57Z")
Why is it that when dieting, there is a point at which weight loss slows down or stops for a while, even if diet and exercise remain constant?
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2004, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-reason-for-the-dieting-plateau/250124/2 "2004-06-13T15:48:13Z")
It’s your body adjusting its metabolism levels to match your caloric intake and activity levels, according to sites such as [this](http://www.annecollins.com/diet_news/diet-plateau.htm).
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### Author:  [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2004, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-reason-for-the-dieting-plateau/250124/3 "2004-06-13T16:44:37Z")
Also, keep in mind that your fat requires calories.
The less fat you have, the less calories you need. Ergo, the lighter you get, the more you will have to reduce calorie intake or increase exercise (calorie burn) in order to lose more.
In my experience, the last 10 pounds or so are a real challenge.
IANAD or nutricionist.
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### Author:  [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2004, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-reason-for-the-dieting-plateau/250124/4 "2004-06-13T18:03:29Z")
> [@Aeschines](#):
>
> In my experience, the last 10 pounds or so are a real challenge.
Well duh! if they wern’t a challege, they wouldn’t have been your last 10 pounds :D.
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### Author:  [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)
#### Post date: [June 13, 2004, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-reason-for-the-dieting-plateau/250124/5 "2004-06-13T18:12:41Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#):
>
> It’s your body adjusting its metabolism levels to match your caloric intake and activity levels, according to sites such as [this](http://www.annecollins.com/diet_news/diet-plateau.htm).
In addition to this, as you lose weight, you have less tissue to fuel.