Losing the last 15...

GinaKurtz

I'm stuck! I need pointers! I've lost the majority of the weight, except for the last 15. It seems to be hanging on! I know I'm still losing inches so I'm gaining muscle & that has an impact on the scale... How do I know this? Well, my old "skinny pants" that were tucked away became part of my normal attire. Now, even after washing & drying them all the way in the dryer (to shrink them) they're all too big! I can pull most of them down without even unbuttoning or unzipping them!

I still want to drop a little more though. I've gotten the seal of approval from the doctor so I know I'm not shooting for a crazy goal or anything. Any tips out there for me? I'm open to anything!

Just so you know my current diet & exercise habits... I've changed my mentality so that it's now a way of life rather than a temporary "diet" so I don't plan on going back to my old habits, but I have to admit that I do splurge every now and again, but not often.

I stick with fresh fruits & veggies with my meals. I stay away from potatoes & pastas (bad carbs) & stick with the good carbs (whole grains, fruits, etc) instead. I eat mostly grilled fish or grilled chicken. I've taken what most people would know as the Atkins Diet or South Beach Diet & made them my own. I've made this my way of life now. I drink lots of water & stay away from soda/coke/pop (depending on where you live...you know it as one of those probably). My husband is Type I diabetic (completely insulin dependent & juvenile onset...not caused by his weight) so my healthy lifestyle has made a positive impact on him....especially since I'm the one that does the grocery shopping! I also try & get on my elliptical 4 times a week or so. I stay on a minimum of 45 minutes & have gone for over an hour before. I wear a heart rate monitor so I can watch & make sure to be in my target range.

All that being said, what advice is there out there for me?!

maaalloryy

BUMP

Carissa83

Bump!

kmeekhof

try adding more strength training to your workouts.... and change up your workouts. Your muscle adapt to routine and eventually don't get as much work from the same thing. when you change things up it confuses them and causes them to work harder.

foreverjade

try adding more strength training to your workouts.... and change up your workouts. Your muscle adapt to routine and eventually don't get as much work from the same thing. when you change things up it confuses them and causes them to work harder.

Completely agree. If you start muscle training you will see a huge difference! Also, change up your cardio - do you do any interval training? It completely sucks but melts the pounds and fat right off!! I try to change up my exercise regimen every 30-60 days. As soon as it seems "easy" or routine, it's time to do something different!

PoleBoy

As you've lost weight and become fitter your BMR will have changed. try recalculating your goals to get an updated calorie target

GinaKurtz

Yeah, I've recalculated my BMR accordingly as I've lost.

ZumbaGirl86

bump!

GinaKurtz

try adding more strength training to your workouts.... and change up your workouts. Your muscle adapt to routine and eventually don't get as much work from the same thing. when you change things up it confuses them and causes them to work harder.

Completely agree. If you start muscle training you will see a huge difference! Also, change up your cardio - do you do any interval training? It completely sucks but melts the pounds and fat right off!! I try to change up my exercise regimen every 30-60 days. As soon as it seems "easy" or routine, it's time to do something different!

Thanks, guys! I've thought about starting a new program (Couch to 5K), but taking a more aggressive approach rather than the beginner. The way it is structured, I think it'll make me change it up lots more than I do now. Also, I may add in some treadmill on some days instead of just the elliptical...as long as my bad knee holds out. Thanks for the feedback! :happy:

kbray003

I noticed that your goal weight is 115. Is it possible that you are shooting too low and that's why its so hard to lose them? I am also 5'4 and now weigh 160. My goal weight is 130.... where you are right now. I know everybody and every "body" (haha) is different but be careful that those 15 pounds are not simply meant to be there. Check out your BMI and that should give you an idea of where you truely need to be.

Good Luck!!!

atsteele

Last 10 - 15 lbs are the toughest. If you have plateau'd then I'd say add more to your exercise routine like an hour of cardio every day... maybe one rest day per week. Strength training is definitely good in that greater muscles mass burns calories faster. If you can do that two or three times per week, I think that would be helpful. I'd add more exercise to your weekly routine rather than trying to lower your calories even more. At least that is how I would approach it. I really HATE feeling hungry.

GinaKurtz

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate the feedback & new ideas!