Why are the last pounds "slow"?

cwolfman13

stephenearllucas wrote: »

I've read several times in different posts that it is very common that as an individual approaches his/her goal weight, the last pounds come off slowly?

Why is this? Is there research that documents this, or is it just anecdotal perceptions?

And, if there is research, what is the point at which weight loss slows? Is it at a certain body fat percentage, or BMI, or within a certain number of pounds of the goal?

Just curious--I'm not experiencing this as I approach my goal, so I wanted to know if it really is common / researched / anecdotal / or ????

It has nothing to do with the number on the scale really, but rather the level of leanness. From an evolutionary standpoint, the human body wants to hold onto fat and as we age, the more our body's want to hold onto fat which is why you see acceptable levels of BF% increase as one ages. As we get leaner hormonal balance is altered...often this leads to increased hunger as well as metabolism dialing down (adaptive thermogenesis) and a whole host of other things are going on.

In my experience, I do fine with things until about sub 12%...getting below 12% and maintaining that is a *kitten* and I have to have things really dialed in as my nutrition goes, and I'm always effing hungry as *kitten*. This is why I pretty much just sit around 12-15%...I can do that just eating well for the most part and exercising regularly and I don't have to give it much thought...below 12% and I basically have to be a diet nazi and I'm miserable.

The concept of purposely being very lean is pretty new from an evolutionary standpoint, and the body just doesn't like it for the most part.