Why We Struggle To Lose Those Last Few Pounds

One complaint we often hear about shedding those last few pounds is that they seem to cling on for dear life. Those last few are stubborn, and they aren’t very good at goodbyes. Maybe?

The beginning and end of most weight loss journeys seem to take the longest. However, there are ways to speed things up or refuel the tank of motivation, encouragement, and discipline. When we set our weight goal, and we’re only five to ten pounds to achieve, we’re getting close to the finish line.

The moment will finally arrive when we can say, We Did It! But why the struggle so close to the end? Let’s talk about it.

We're all in when we start our health and fitness journey, so things come off pretty quickly. We’re eating healthier, exercising regularly, and any other steps for success. Then, a lack of effort, little time, and life happen, and things slow down.

However, it’s also difficult to lose those last few pounds because of the shrinking calorie needs. Larger bodies require more calories to maintain properly than smaller bodies.

As our weight drops, our daily calorie intake should decrease as well. A rule of thumb; for every pound of weight lost, our body burns between 12 to 15 fewer calories. Remember to make the essential adjustments near the finish line so you can slide in with ease.

Our body’s response to fewer calories is causing a dip in our metabolic rate. Our body thinks there could be a food shortage, so it will conserve any calories stored in our fat cells. They do this by slowing down the rate at which our body burns them.

Tips To Lose The Last Few Pounds

We know that it isn’t always easy. Hopefully, the tips will help you or guide you in the right direction. You’ve come so far; to give up now would be an insult to yourself. Keep going; it’s only a little further.

Knowing that you’ve lost any amount of weight means you’ve put forth an effort. Give yourself credit for everything you’ve put in that got you as far as it has thus far. Be sure you also acknowledge any mistakes to avoid making them again.

Yes, we should and can have “off days or cheat days” where we can indulge in some things we’ve avoided throughout the week. However, we shouldn’t use our off days as an excuse to “overeat” or binge.

A few “extra orders of fries” and extra servings of sweets, and before we know it, we’re falling into bad eating habits, and the scale is going up instead of down. It’s all about balance!

Lunch Is The MAIN Meal

For many of us, dinner is the main meal of the day; it’s typically larger and higher in calories than a typical lunch. We need to swap and reverse those, making lunch our main meal while eating a small, lunch-size dinner.

Whether you had a food diary at the beginning of your weight loss journey and stopped using it, or if it’s a new concept, it’s something worth trying. A food diary or journal is an effective tool for changing food choices and eating behaviors.

Be as basic or extensive as you prefer, but the most significant things to track are what you eat and when. If you care for more detail, you can include where you ate, who you ate with, and how you felt afterward.

Don’t forget to stay active! Losing weight is a process that takes time; keeping the weight off requires us to maintain a healthy regimen. The difference lies in how hard or soft you should exercise.