Those last 5-10 lbs

landers26

Any advice on getting those last 5-10 lbs off? I feel like I am going nowhere, or if I am going somewhere it is very, very slowly (like maybe 1 lb a month if even). I work out 5 days a week, 45-60 min every morning. I lift weights and follow with cardio. Recently just changed my routine and exercises a little to see if that would help. First 5 lbs came off easily enough, the last pound has been difficult and so so slow. I've been going to the gym/exercising for about 3.5 months now.

CarlydogsMom

There is a weightloss podcast available called "Cut The Fat". I think their website is www.cutthefatpodcast.com. You can download their podcasts through Itunes or listen to various episodes through their website. Anyway, within the past few months, they had one episode devoted to "those last 5 pounds." It was very interesting. They are going on the assumption that yes, you are committed to losing those last five pounds, and if you really want it, they suggest (this is just what I remember off the top of my head, there were other suggestions):

1. Shake up your exercise, don't just "add more minutes." Say you're a jogger and run five miles every day and you think by adding another mile, you can ramp up those calories burned. Then what? Run 7 miles after that? Then 8 miles? When will it end--after you exercise all day long? They recommend that say if you're doing cardio, do a mix of cardio and weights--even less minutes of cardio to make up for the time you do weights. Or whatever--the point being to shake up your exercise, not just keep adding and adding to the point where it becomes unsustainable in the long term.

2. Cut out dairy. You have to listen to the podcast get the reasoning behind this.

3. Cut out nutrition bars, protein shakes, all that "extra" processed foods.

4. Focus your diet on lean protein and vegetables.

Those were a few that I remembered, I have to re-listen to it myself. It's worth the listen. All their episodes are worth listening too, but that one is specific to your question.

Oh, and by the way, one pound a month loss is TOTALLY normal for those last 5 pounds. Don't fret it, just concentrate on building up your lifestyle of healthy habits, because soon you'll be in maintenance mode, which is a different beast.