How can i lose these last 10 pounds

I have been trying for like 6 months to get these last 10 lbs off. Not sure what I am doing wrong!



My stats - I am a 37 year old female and I am 5'3" tall. I weigh 133 lbs and would like to get down to 123 - 125. I eat about 1400-1500 a day when I don't exercise and 1500-1800 on the days I workout.

I exercise 3-4 times a week. I do 60 minute Body Pump weights class on Monday's, Zumba for 60 minutes on Wednesday and Zumba for 60 minutes on Saturday. If I do make it 4 times, I usually do either another Body Pump or maybe a kickboxing class. Other than that, my job is pretty sedentary.

What else should I do - am I eating too many calories?

Help me smart people!

Replies

  • ka97
    ka97 Posts: 1,984 Member
    You probably need to change up your exercise routine. Add in something new that your body is not used to doing (running, biking, swimming, kickboxing). Try to increase your strength training to 2-3 times per week. Over time your body gets more efficient at doing the same movements over and over, so you actually burn fewer calories doing the same exercises.
  • indy_jh
    indy_jh Posts: 20
    You have the same problem I have. I'm 6'1" tall and about 180. I KNOW that I have at least 10 lbs of fat on my body (because I can squeeze it, and I can feel it wiggle when I run... among other reasons).

    Anyway, my best friend is a body builder. He has explained to me that your body will naturally carry some fat if you simply eliminate calories.

    You should try a short term body-builder's diet: Low carb, Low fat. (It's the combination of Atkins and South Beach). You'll feel like crap for about 3 weeks, and then you'll get used to it. (You'll feel tired...)

    But, you WILL lose those last few pounds. Right now, your body is using the carbs you eat first, and your body fat is just staying put. So, if you eat mostly protein, (no carbs or fat), your body will rob the fat cells to give you the energy you need.

    Try it. It works for him -- every year at this time just before he gets into his competition season. And, he gets down to about 3-4% body fat.
  • wendi105
    wendi105 Posts: 27 Member
    Is strength training a better exercise for dropping these last 10?
  • ka97
    ka97 Posts: 1,984 Member
    Is strength training a better exercise for dropping these last 10?

    IMO, yes. Especially if you've only been doing body pump once a week, strength training should make a big difference.
  • estherpab
    estherpab Posts: 59 Member
    It doesn't sound like you are over weight, but your problem sounds a lot like mine, I'm 5'2 and weighed 120 and I am trying to lose 5 pounds, well I think you may be eatting to many cals. I was eatting 1400 cals on non exercise days and eatting all my exercise cals when I did work out and I was gaining,. Keep in mind, we are short and at least for me, I found I can't eat a lot of cals that taller and heavier people can eat. Do increase strength training too. I also found jillian micheals workouts worked really well for me. Good luck!
  • Tzippy7
    Tzippy7 Posts: 344 Member
    I have a few suggestions.
    1) You may need to eat less. Lots of people on MFP do eat more to lose more, but that has not worked out for many short people I know. Thats just my own experience though, so that may not be it.
    2) Try calorie cycling or calorie zigzagging. (got me out of a 3 month plateau)
    3) Incorporate more strength training into your routine
    make sure you stay hydrated !
  • wahmx3
    wahmx3 Posts: 633 Member
    I think adding strength training would definitely help. Is it actually the pounds or inches you would like to lose? Try doing an exercise dvd that combines both cardio and strength, it should really help.
  • kazzari
    kazzari Posts: 473 Member
    I have been trying for like 6 months to get these last 10 lbs off. Not sure what I am doing wrong!



    My stats - I am a 37 year old female and I am 5'3" tall. I weigh 133 lbs and would like to get down to 123 - 125. I eat about 1400-1500 a day when I don't exercise and 1500-1800 on the days I workout.

    I exercise 3-4 times a week. I do 60 minute Body Pump weights class on Monday's, Zumba for 60 minutes on Wednesday and Zumba for 60 minutes on Saturday. If I do make it 4 times, I usually do either another Body Pump or maybe a kickboxing class. Other than that, my job is pretty sedentary.

    What else should I do - am I eating too many calories?

    Help me smart people!

    I'm sorry, but I think, yes, you may be eating too many calories. I weigh more than you and my daily calories, without exercise, to lose just.1/2 lb. per week is set by MFP for 1350. And I'm losing very slowly...much less than half a pound weekly. I think I'm eating too many calories, too.