Ever wonder why you can't lose those last ten pounds? Wonder no more, read on for the reasons and suggestions on how to combat it.

Why Can’t I Lose These Last Ten Pounds?

You may have heard or even spoken these words, “I cannot lose the last ten pounds I have battling forever!”  It is common to experience rapid weight loss at the onset of a new diet or workout but there comes a time when it slows down. This can go on for a week, a month or a year and can lead to great frustration. There is a natural occurring phenomenon according to scientists which might explain why this plateau is occurring. It may be the body’s protective barrier helping you to survive.

There is an ideal weight your body has decided upon, without even asking your opinion and it is based on many factors, the most important being the weight you have maintained for a long period of time.  Weight loss is not as simple as you may think it is. Exercise, eat properly, control portions and the pounds will melt away, right?  Not always. 

Before you find yourself frustrated with your weight loss failures, ask yourself if you are setting realistic goals.  I have attained a weight that although I enjoy I cannot sustain and have had to make peace with the fact that my set weight is not the same as my idyllic weight.  Once you have determined that you are not setting unrealistic goals, there are several ways to tackle your ten pound dilemma.

Use the power of your mind.  When you try to do something, you leave open the possibility of failing.  When you do something, you do it!  When you are close to achieving your goal weight you may begin to slack off and allow yourself rewards.  This will sabotage your efforts.   This is the time to push forward and be every more diligent in your choices.

Increase your metabolism. 

Diet
Are you eating five to six small meals each day?  This is the easiest way to increase your metabolism nutritionally. Every time you eat, your body kicks into gear and works hard at digesting or burning up that meal to turn it into nutrients that your body can use for energy and healing while the rest is burnt off as heat. Eat something every 3 hours or so limiting your calories in each meal to match what your body needs for the day.

Exercise
Cardiovascular exercise is imperative when you are down to the last few pounds. The last 10 pounds to lose is as easy as increasing your output. ‘Calories in versus calories out’ is an easy way to think about the value of performing cardio training.  Weight bearing exercise will assist in the increase of muscle mass which is how you increase your metabolism with exercise. For every pound of muscle you add to your body, you burn an additional 200 calories approximately per day even while at rest.

Inventory What You Eat. Are you eating too much sodium, dairy or nuts? Are you binging on low fat, high calorie foods?  Are you eating foods with few items in the list of ingredients?  Try to steer clear of long lists of hard to pronounce ingredients, replacing them with natural foods such as fruits and vegetables.

If you have been drinking orange juice instead of sodas, try switching to water. Fruit juices although better for you than sodas (by a long shot) are still full of calories. You can drink as much water as you like and still no calories.

That’s it, you can do it and you will if you just apply yourself a little more for a little longer.

By Christina Leon, Staff Writer