Why is it harder to lose just 15 lbs??

christinemariebell
christinemariebell Posts: 9
edited October 1 in Health and Weight Loss
Why is it that people tell me it's harder to lose 10-15 lbs than say 50 lbs?? I don't understand that?? I'm 5'3 and I started out at 138 lbs and I'd like to be at 120 lbs. Does anyone know the answer?:smile:

Replies

  • AZKristi
    AZKristi Posts: 1,801 Member
    A person who weighs 138 pounds needs fewer calories to maintain their weight than a person who weighs 170 pounds. So, you will have to eat fewer calories per day (than someone weighing 170) to achieve the same calorie deficit (and loose weight at the same rate).
  • CaptainMFP
    CaptainMFP Posts: 440 Member
    The less you have the more your body holds on to what it's got, especially if you're in a reasonably healthy range. I always come back to Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me). He was the picture of a healthy adult before is McDonalds binge. Maybe not an athlete, but really in great shape. He gains 30 lbs. in one month and takes more than 18 months to lose it...with about half that time spent on the last 5 lbs. And it's fairly universal, too. So a person who is say, 250 trying to get down to 175 will find the first 50 come off a lot easier than the last 25. The more excessive it is, the (relatively) easier it comes off.
  • Just_Bethy
    Just_Bethy Posts: 272
    I agree with scshenk..I have lost 40lbs in 4 months..I am setting a goal for the next 4 months of 20lbs...Because I know weight loss really slows down..the next 4 months after that I am hoping to have 10lbs come off...time .. can drive you crazy...but its worth it
  • melizerd
    melizerd Posts: 870 Member
    Yup the closer you are to an ultimate weight goal the SLOWER it goes, I don't think it's harder just that it comes off at only 1/2 a pound a week or so, so it takes much longer.

    My first 65 came off pretty quickly for me (all things considered) and yet the rest is coming off much slower because my body is afraid there's a famine coming (LOL)!
  • Stephiede
    Stephiede Posts: 130 Member
    I feel your pain. We have pretty much the same goals and this is the hardest weight to lose ever. I keep losing 5 lbs then gaining 3 back. Its driving me crazy. I hope you can find the answer soon. Godd luck to you.
  • christinemariebell
    christinemariebell Posts: 9
    Thank you. That makes more sense to me now. I just always felt so stupid when I'd hear someone say they'd lost 35+ pounds. It left my thinking to myself wow if they can lose 35 lbs what's wrong with me that I can't like lose just 15lbs? But now I understand.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    Bodies like to have some fat stores, just in case there's an up coming famine or whatever. In the past it was key to survival. Being too fat was bad, so it doesn't like to be "too fat" either. But it'll hold on to those last few pounds pretty hard. You have to convince it that it's okay to give them up....(I believe this is done by eating a SMALL calorie deficit).
  • Lizi19
    Lizi19 Posts: 180 Member
    I only want to lose a bit of lbs as well. I want to be 120 by Christmas, but now I am starting to think that it might take me longer. My metabolism slowed down, so I have to adapt.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    Bodies like to have some fat stores, just in case there's an up coming famine or whatever. In the past it was key to survival. Being too fat was bad, so it doesn't like to be "too fat" either. But it'll hold on to those last few pounds pretty hard. You have to convince it that it's okay to give them up....(I believe this is done by eating a SMALL calorie deficit).


    ^^This.

    The leaner you are the more panicky the body becomes that it COULD starve to death easily. In order to convince it that it can let the weight go - you HAVE to eat and fuel it properly.

    For people who automatically think that ALL thinner people need less calories - I beg to differ. I weigh 143-145lbs and I consume 2200-2500 NET calories a day. I'm happily maintaining this weight. So, not everyone who is thinner needs less calories. It really depends on your body, your metabolism and your lifestyle.
  • aph1234
    aph1234 Posts: 25
    to give my metabolism a jolt i have add hot spices and onions to all my food that i can it helps
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