There you are, finally losing weight. It took a lot of planning, preparation and determination on your part and you feel like this time it's going to be different.

Seven weeks in a row, your old nemesis the bathroom scale have finally shown you some love and the kilos are coming off. Your motivation is at an all time high and people have even noticed that you are walking with a spring in your step. You are omnipotent!

Monday morning weigh-in will be amazing. A controlled weekend without any slip ups or indulgences combined with a long walk with the dog and a pump class will surely see an amazing result.

What's this? The scales must be broken. You step on again. Same result. You have put on 200 grams! Suddenly you feel like Alice in Wonderland spiralling downwards out of control. HELP!

This is the moment that will define you. Are you a determined to lose the weight that you are so desperately wanting to lose or will you be another failed dieter that gives up? In 90% of cases the decision made unconsciously even before you step off the scales whether you continue or give up.

When faced with this plateau in your weight loss journey what do you do?

I like to share a wonderful quote with my clients when they hit their first plateau:

‘When you get to a plateau, think of it as a landing on the stairway to your weight loss goal. Remember maintenance is a lifelong plateau, so a bit of "rehearsal" for maintenance isn't the worst thing you could do.'

There are many reasons why people will hit a plateau in their weight loss. Some foods absorb more water than others, so take note of what you have eaten in the past week. In women, monthly cycles can also determine how much fluid is retained in the body. If undertaking an exercise program as part of your weight loss, muscle mass can be starting to develop which weighs more than fat.

If you can honestly say to yourself that you did everything that you needed to do for the week to lose weight, don't let one little blip stop this great thing that you're doing. A great way to overcome the disappointment of not losing weight at your weigh in is to have some other measurements at your disposal. Don't just rely on a number on a set of scales.

At the commencement of any weight loss program it is important to take at least a basic set of body measurements including chest, waist, hips and thighs. Also look at how your clothes are fitting, are they looser? When the plateau hits look at these alternative measurements because they might just be the thing that will keep you on track.

Another great way to rebound from the disappointment is to change things up the next week. If you have been exercising in the morning, exercise at night. Eat more or less frequently and eat different foods to those you ate the previous week. I teach my clients that their body needs to be tricked into doing something differently so it doesn't become too comfortable in how it is functioning. Changing things will keep your body guessing and keep the metabolism working at a faster rate.

Bad Days! We all have them. A birthday, a wedding, a social gathering are all times where our resolve to stand fast with our weight loss is tested. It might even be that lonely night at home where that packet of Tim Tams is too hard to resist! One bad day will not ruin your diet. The self doubt and guilt will!

Until you get to understand what triggers you to overindulge and you have the belief that you can overcome these obstacles your weight loss will never truly be sustainable. It is mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter how many times you start a diet, success will seem like a pipedream.

The key to remember is that everything worthwhile takes time and weight loss is no different. You WILL get to a point where you WILL hit a plateau. It is having the knowledge, understanding and perseverance to get back on track that will see you lose all the weight you want.

Natasa Denman is the Ultimate Weight Loss Coach. If you are serious and committed to lose your excess weight forever, go to www.ulitmateweightloss.com.au where you can download "The Ultimate Weight Loss Starter Kit" Valued at $197 instantly. You get exclusive access to my book ‘The 7 Ultimate Secrets to Weight Loss', Weight Loss Journal and a CD of "The 3 Habits of Successful Losers" with a special BONUS Recording.