For those that struggled with the last 10 lbs

Onyx_MCG

HIIT will help you with losing the last 10lbs.

WickAndArtoo

I have given up and decided to build muscle instead of lose weight for the last ten pounds, I'm seeing better results and like the way my body is changing.

Francl27

Really depends on what the 'last 10' are for everyone too. My last 10s were probably someone's last 20s, for example.

In my case, it was harder because my appetite spiked up badly and I had to really deprive myself to lose more... and clearly I don't have the willpower to deprive myself THAT much (I've actually gained back 10 lbs from my lowest but my measurements haven't changed and I'm just not willing to starve/deprive myself to lose those last 12 lbs now).

Seriously though, the only way I could lose that weight at this point is to not have any treat ever, pretty much.. it's hard enough to maintain, let alone keep a deficit over a month!

ElJefeChief

I was briefly at 184, skinny as a rail, lots of ropy vasculature. Friends told me I was too skinny. At a certain point, one of the nutritionists I work with (who is an exercise freak and always skinny) told me in confidence he thought I looked like a prisoner of war and should add a few pounds back.

I'm now at about 195 and although I've tried to bring myself down to the 180s again it seems like I just can't get myself there without some herculean effort I'm not really willing to muster at this point. Given my high weight was in the highly porky range of about 260, I'm not complaining.

jennypapage

For me, it's hasn't been hard physically, because i began the transition to maintenance months ago. So as i started approaching my end goal, i increased my calories and now i can eat more, which by the way is a strange feeling .So i haven't felt any excess hunger or anything like that. Unfortunately eating more does slow down the weight loss, but because i'm already happy with my weight as it is, i don't really mind.Sometimes i don't step on the scale for 2-3 weeks, because i know any small loss will not be visible, so i don't bother.
I also found myself thinking, that because i've been dieting for so long, i've gotten used to it and to having an actual goal i'm working towards,and i'm not that happy on entering the maintaining phase. So i don't mind if it takes longer to reach my end goal.

BeeerRunner

I would say that it gets harder when you're closer to your goal weight because you are burning less calories from exercise. When you started, it came off easier because the extra weight resulted in higher calorie burns. I personally didn't have any issues reaching my goal weight other than it came off a little slower at the end.

In the 1st 90 days, I lost 30 lbs. It took about 6 to 7 weeks for the remaining 12 lbs.

I've now been maintaining for a year. My weight fluctuates within about 3 lbs. I love the way my body looks now so it motivates me to keep it that way. I was always thin growing up and never thought Id be overweight. When I see old pictures of myself, I cringe and I don't ever want to look like that again. Also, I've become a long distance runner and extra weight means slower running.

It still can be a challenge, but I guess I've just gotten used to it and it's my way of life now.

Vegplotter

Of course you are all correct. It's a combination of maths and psychology. Many people don't realise that as they get slimmer their body adapts to a lower calorie intake. Those of you who are funding it hard might be surprised to realise that is because you've reached your maintenance calories. So it's a good time to hone your forever diet. This is (approximately) it!
Getting past a plateau:
I found when I reached a plateau that simply cutting out breakfast on an active day, then eating normally for the rest of the day, once a week resolved the problem. Of course it also reduced my weekly calorie intake a bit.
Once you reach your desired weight increase calories very gingerly. I did 100 cals per week and only increased the next week if I wasn't gaining.
If you are like me you will find that your total calorie intake will increase a little bit as your body readjusts.
Keep activity at levels you know you can maintain forever. Keep eating a balanced diet and when you add calories translate that into an extra portion of carbs, veg, fruit, dairy or protein. Keep recording!

dutchandkiwi

For me it is a combination of things - Yes to the margin or error becomes so tiny that it is harder
Yes to the motivation is harder
But I also think - so it takes longer those last few kgs, longer than all of the Kgs before on average - Well so be it. My body is still changing - I am still loosing (though a lot lot slower) I'll get there .............eventually

_piaffe

Somebody had a really great paper towel roll analogy. Takes longer (more turns) to take off one sheet the closer you get to the cardboard roll. Or something.

annacole94

nowine4me wrote: »

Same as what @astroamy says. I've lost 70 with 10 to go (goal weight 135, I'm 5-7), but the deficit is steep and the margin of error is razor thin. It's a battle. I can eat 1800 and lose, but literally, one glass of wine or scoop of peanut butter sets me back. I'm beginning to think its just not worth it.

Deciding what to aim for is challenging; I'm 5'7" and losing less overall (my high weight was about 170; currently 155). I think I'm going to be fine with 150 as an attainable, healthy, and easy-ish to maintain goal.

I'm fortunate that I started my loss in January, and now that it's April-ish I'm back on my bike. So my activity is naturally kicking up a few hours of cardio/week as I get to the home stretch on weight loss. Without a big lifestyle/activity change, it was getting tough to stick to an ever shrinking calorie target.

wellthenwhat

annacole94 wrote: »

nowine4me wrote: »

Same as what @astroamy says. I've lost 70 with 10 to go (goal weight 135, I'm 5-7), but the deficit is steep and the margin of error is razor thin. It's a battle. I can eat 1800 and lose, but literally, one glass of wine or scoop of peanut butter sets me back. I'm beginning to think its just not worth it.

Deciding what to aim for is challenging; I'm 5'7" and losing less overall (my high weight was about 170; currently 155). I think I'm going to be fine with 150 as an attainable, healthy, and easy-ish to maintain goal.

I'm fortunate that I started my loss in January, and now that it's April-ish I'm back on my bike. So my activity is naturally kicking up a few hours of cardio/week as I get to the home stretch on weight loss. Without a big lifestyle/activity change, it was getting tough to stick to an ever shrinking calorie target.

Same here. I want to hover around 120, but I am not completely sure of how my weight goal corisponds to my fitness goal

nowine4me

I know this is an old thread. But it's a really good one. Especially now that many of us have been at this since at least January and might be approaching our goal weight. Personally I've been at it for 16 months and the last 10 have been elusive. I tried to run a small deficit (.5 per week) for 5 months -- to no avail. The smallest slips were pushing me into maintenance. So, I've decided to put #1 in this article into play........1300 calories for 6 weeks. You can do anything for 6 weeks, right? Even if that doesn't get me to the finish line, I'm hopeful it will be a kick start. What is everyone else doing as we push towards bikini season?

Though I'm not a man, I love this article: http://www.mensfitness.com/weight-loss/burn-fat-fast/15-ways-lose-last-10-pounds

Francl27

nowine4me wrote: »

I know this is an old thread. But it's a really good one. Especially now that many of us have been at this since at least January and might be approaching our goal weight. Personally I've been at it for 16 months and the last 10 have been elusive. I tried to run a small deficit (.5 per week) for 5 months -- to no avail. The smallest slips were pushing me into maintenance. So, I've decided to put #1 in this article into play........1300 calories for 6 weeks. You can do anything for 6 weeks, right? Even if that doesn't get me to the finish line, I'm hopeful it will be a kick start. What is everyone else doing as we push towards bikini season?

Though I'm not a man, I love this article: http://www.mensfitness.com/weight-loss/burn-fat-fast/15-ways-lose-last-10-pounds

Ok I absolutely don't see the point of making myself miserable for 6 weeks just to lose some vanity pounds.

And yeah, I burn 2400 calories a day on a lazy day, I can't even imagine eating 1300 calories... ever.

Islander4Life

nowine4me wrote: »

Same as what @astroamy says. I've lost 70 with 10 to go (goal weight 135, I'm 5-7), but the deficit is steep and the margin of error is razor thin. It's a battle. I can eat 1800 and lose, but literally, one glass of wine or scoop of peanut butter sets me back. I'm beginning to think its just not worth it.

I feel the same way. I work really hard all week, but one bad meal, small blizzard, or one over-eat out at dinner at the end of the week and I'm right back to square one. Its definitely a thin line when its down to the last 10 lbs. I'll have to work harder and skip the high calorie meals that put me too far over that day.

starfruit132

I hear your pain. Same here. Was only 2 pounds from goal and then a screeching halt. So hard to go back to 1200. But, if it helps kick start a pound or two, I will just have to do it. Just not quite ready to give up the good stuff

Mouse_Potato

Because hungry. All the time. I was never this hungry when I was carrying an extra 30 pounds.

jenilla1

dutchandkiwi wrote: »

...the margin of error becomes so tiny that it is harder...

This sounds about right. That last 5 was ugly slow...

sunny_d22

I expect my last 10 pounds to take almost a year! But, the time is going to go by anyways so I'm working on patience. I consider this time also as practice for maintenance aka the rest of my life.

goldengirl111

Got about 15 lbs to lose..Those Oreos and chips won this week.