Tips for Losing the Last 5 Pounds
When you are trying to lose weight, it seems like it drops in spurts. You workout hard for a month or so, and then a few pounds come off all at once. This is often followed by a plateau, another month or so of hard work, and finally another quick drop of a few pounds. This seems to go on for most of your weight loss journey….until about the last five pounds. The last 5 pounds are among the hardest to lose. For some reason, these stubborn pounds tend to hold fast to your body with little intention of ever leaving. If this is you, and you need a little help losing the last few, check out these tips for dropping those last remaining pounds.
Change Your Diet
This is probably the number one tip for losing any kind of weight. Your diet is vital to your health and weight loss. You simply can’t out work a bad diet. To lose the last few, focus on your protein and water intake. For protein, stick to the lean meats like chicken and fish. For water, just drink more! Water flushes the body, makes you feel full, and just overall aids in weight loss. It’s also important to cut out too much sugar and simple carbohydrates. Your diet is key for losing weight, especially the hard to shake last few.
Up Your Weights
Weights build muscle, and muscle helps to burn fat. So, the more muscle you build, the better your body is able to burn the fat from your body. If you are currently lifting weights, add a little weight to up the intensity. If you’re not already lifting weights, then this is definitely an element that needs to be added to your routine. Weights are one of the best ways to build muscle, burn fat, and lose inches.
Intervals
If you are doing cardio, great! Cardio is great for your body. To lose some weight, try switching a few of your cardio sessions to interval sessions instead. Intervals involve short blasts of full on energy followed by even shorter rest periods. Adding intervals is a great way to give your workout a boost, and to push your body into new and challenging tasks.
The last 5 pounds may be the hardest to lose, but don’t forget that if you are down to losing the last five, you are already doing a great job. Losing weight is a journey, but if you stick with it, and give these tips a try, you can meet your goals and gain the best body of your life.
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Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Daniel Oines