When one is trying to lose weight through eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly, sometimes that last five pounds is the hardest to shed. The body attains a plateau where it isn't burning calories as quickly as it was and, often, one is failing to be as vigilant about the amount one eats or works out as at the beginning of the weight loss program.
While the last five pounds can be difficult to lose there are several ways one can try to do so. If those few pounds aren't unrealistic, given one's height and healthy weight range, then they should come off. However, one may have to work a little harder and cut back a bit more.
Slashing the Calories
Calories creep up easily in one's diet. To lose one pound, one must cut 3,500 calories from the body's daily food intake. This number may seem huge, but 500 calories can easily be sliced from one's diet by being careful. Drinks are a huge caloric adder. Sip black coffee instead of adding cream or sugar. Try water with lime or lemon juice instead of orange or other fruit juices. Cut back to one beer or wine a day or only drink on the weekends.
Switch to low calorie yoghurt and cheese. Consume fewer dairy products. Stop eating spreads and dips. Eat small meals full of protein. This may include fish, chicken, nuts and soybeans. Also eat fruits and vegetables. Don't eat after dinnertime. Consuming desserts or any food before bed leads to added pounds. By cutting out small aspects of one's diet that add to large caloric gains one can lose that five pounds in about a month. Aiming for a one pound loss per week is healthiest.
Jacking up the Workout
An exercise program that worked at the beginning of a weight loss program may become less effective towards the end. The body is more capable of burning off calories and thus it needs greater challenges. At least five times a week, one needs to perform moderate exercise for twenty minutes. This could constitute a walk, a cycle or even doing chores. One also needs to undertake vigorous exercise for thirty minutes. This might entail a run, a longer bike ride, swimming or a pilates and weights routine. Both workouts should pick up the heart rate.
When trying to lose that last five pounds, walk ten minutes more than usual, lift heavier weights or add new exercises to the routine. Once the body plateaus in its comfort zone, it is necessary to work a little harder to achieve one's weight loss goal and to maintain it, especially as one gets older. Don't forget that pounds aren't the only sign of weight loss. Inches are also vital. Additionally, muscle does weigh more than fat. It's better to focus on eating right and exercising effectively than to make your weight solely a numbers game!
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