Are you trying to shed those last 10 pounds, and instead of losing weight you’re losing all of you patience?  Take heart, you’re not alone.  The secret to losing those final ten pounds is to understand why those pounds hang on, and strategizing based on that information. 

Why is it so hard to lose those last few pounds?

Many complain that their tried and true routine that helped them lose pounds before is no longer helping them lose weight.  The main reason for this is that the human body is an extremely efficient, highly adaptive machine.  If you consume fewer calories, your body will adapt and operate using fewer calories by slowing down metabolism.  That is one reason why it is so important to exercise during a weight loss plan; for weight loss you need to burn more calories than dieting alone, otherwise your weight will plateau quickly. 

Motivation can also start to taper at the end of a weight-loss program.  When weight isn’t quickly coming off, diet and exercise demands seem unrewarding, and momentum starts to slow down.

How do you continue to lose pounds until you’ve reached your goal?

Shake it up.  If the old routine no longer works, switch your routine.  If you haven’t been lifting weights, start.  If you’ve been running, try swimming.  If you work out in the early morning, switch to evening, or add a short evening workout in addition to the morning one.  Keep mixing up the routine and in a few short weeks, you will meet your goal.

Keep motivated.  It would be easy to give up short of the goal, but find a way to keep on track.  Motivation depends on the individual, but here are three suggestions to help keep you motivated.

1.  Hold yourself accountable to a friend or a group.  Tell them your final goal, and make a realistic time objective to reach it.  Update everyone weekly on your progress. 

2.  Buy yourself something to keep exercise exciting.  Get a new ipod, workout clothes or equipment.

3.  Join a new exercise class.  The change might be refreshing, and there may be new people to encourage and motivate you.

Be patient.  There is a saying: “The race goes not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.”

Although it’s understandable to become impatient while trying to lose those stubborn last few pounds, don’t forget to keep weight loss in perspective.  If you are currently within 10 pounds of your ideal weight, congratulations--you are already much healthier than you were at your previous weight!  You’ve come a long way, and you should be proud of how far you’ve already come!

By Alice Burron
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