Tips for losing the last 10 pounds

I've lost 50 pounds using MFP: Counting calories, drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily, exercising WAAAAYYY more than I used to, using my FitBit to get 12,000 steps per day, using my HRM to know just how many calories I'm burning with exercise. Now with just 10 pounds left to get to my goal, weight loss is slowing. I knew that it would because I'm a much smaller person!!! I'm already eating 1200 calories per day and exercising for an hour every day -cardio every day and weight training 2 times a week. I occasionally cycle calories and have even followed the 5:2 diet some weeks just to shake things up a bit. Besides what I'm already doing, do you have any tips or tricks to lose those LAST 10 POUNDS?

Replies

  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    if you don't have a kitchen scale get one...it is paramount when you are that close to know exactly how much you are eating.

    Use correct entries in your diary...don't use the ones that start with homemade or generic...or an asterik (*) as they are user entered.

    If you can't find an entry google calories in_____________ as this produces the USDA entry.
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    Start planning for maintenance...weight loss at this point should be about 1/2lb a week...so if you can up your calories start now.

    1200 is not a lot of food...you don't want to shock yourself when you can eat at maintenance.

    Since I've hit the 10lb mark I have been upping my slowly...25calories one week...I am averaging 1700 now instead of 1600.
  • musicboxes
    musicboxes Posts: 133 Member
    Maybe lowering your daily carb intake.
  • CarlaTurc
    CarlaTurc Posts: 32 Member
    I already use a kitchen scale and measuring cups, spoons, etc to make sure that I don't overestimate food amounts. I'll try the idea of lowering my carbs, as I currently eat about 50% of my calories each day from carbs. Think I'll try to get in more protein instead of all of my delicious carbs and see if that helps. I'll substitute string cheese as my late evening snack instead popcorn. Thanks!
  • flippy1234
    flippy1234 Posts: 686 Member
    WOW, good for you. That's a lot of weight. You should be really proud of yourself!!!
    I like your idea, cut some carbs and add protein instead. That should really help. Really examine the carbs you are eating. a calorie is not just a calorie...
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I already use a kitchen scale and measuring cups, spoons, etc to make sure that I don't overestimate food amounts. I'll try the idea of lowering my carbs, as I currently eat about 50% of my calories each day from carbs. Think I'll try to get in more protein instead of all of my delicious carbs and see if that helps. I'll substitute string cheese as my late evening snack instead popcorn. Thanks!

    Only use measuring cups and spoons for liquids... otherwise, always use the scale. It makes a huge difference.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Congrats on your success!

    With the 1200 calorie goal, curious if you are eating back exercise cals? To lose my last 10 lbs, I actually increased cals. And yes, it was a slow process, but totally worth it - I mean we've already come this far and made healthy changes, it's just more progress for the rest of our lives, right? :smile:

    Took about a year for the last 10 to come off, and during that time I lost inches, fat, and dropped another size, and honestly, I didn't care what the scale said as much as I loved seeing the inches come off. I do a mix of cardio and weights - running 3 days a week, and weights 3 days, always one day off. And like I said, I was eating more, averaging 1800-2000 cals a day (i'm 5'8") and loving it.

    If you're not planning to eat 1200 a day for the rest of your life, maybe start shifting closer to maintenance cals. You will still lose if you're in a deficit, but go for a smaller deficit. Even if it takes 6 months or a year, it's worth it!

    Good luck!