When you're attempting to achieve your weight loss goals, that last five pounds can be notoriously difficult to lose. Paired with your recent success, you may be confused as to why your body has suddenly stopped losing weight. This is known as a weight loss plateau, and it's a common complaint along fitness enthusiasts. To overcome your plateau and meet your fitness goals once and for all, you'll need to step up your efforts to ignite your metabolism and burn those last five pounds.
Step 1
Weigh yourself at the same time every day and log your weight so you can see your progress at a glance. You may be surprised at how much your weight fluctuates during the day, and that what you think is a stubborn five pounds may really be late lunch bloat. Instead, make a commitment to weigh in at the same time of the day for a more accurate picture of how much you really need to lose to be happy, suggests "Health" magazine.
Step 2
Change your fitness routine to include something entirely new. While you may have had great success with step aerobics in the past, if you've reached a plateau, a kickboxing class may be what your body needs to get over that last hump of weight loss. Changing your routine causes your body to use new muscles and burn fat in different ways, helping you to finally lose that last five pounds while staying motivated to stick to your routine.
Step 3
Eat less food more often. When you lose weight, you may forget to reconfigure your body's caloric needs based on your new weight, warns MSNBC. If you're eating the food necessary for a 150 lbs. person, and you now weigh only 125 lbs., you won't lose that last five pounds, and you may even begin to gain some weight. Instead, reconfigure the amount of calories you need based on your weight now, then consume those calories through small meals spread throughout the day.
Step 4
Keep a food diary and write in your diary each and every time any type of food passes your lips. You may think you're eating a low-fat, low-calorie diet, but an extra lick from a spoon here and a sip of cola there can add up throughout the day. Tracking your daily food choices can alert you to potential problems that could be stopping your progress in losing that last five pounds of fat.
Step 5
Offer yourself a valuable reward for losing the last five pounds and finally reaching your goal weight. Ensure that it's something really desirable, so that you'll work harder to achieve, such as a vacation, a shopping spree or getting your hair done, suggests Weight Watchers. Knowing that there's something special waiting for you at the finish line may give you the added push you need to exercise a little longer and eat a little better.
Things You'll Need
- Scale
- Notebook
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