Losing the last predetermined five pounds is a battle many people happily or miserably embrace, depending if it’s the beginning of a diet or the end of a longer weight loss attempt. If all perspective is lost and the decision to reach a weight 5 pounds lighter is all consuming, past methods must be discarded. Let’s have a look at how to lose those last 5 pounds!
What Results in Short Term Weight Loss Only
There are methods to simply and quickly drop the 5 pounds, the problem is keeping them off. Usually quick weight loss isn’t maintained when it is lost in the following ways:
- Weight loss pills also know as appetite suppressants will decrease the appetite and remove the five pounds… until either the drug supply is depleted or the body is accustomed to the drug.
- Shots may have a placebo effect and can help temporarily, but eventually the body can’t be fooled and the weight returns.
- Colonics can change the electrolyte balance internally and aren’t safe as a long-term plan, regardless of weight loss prior to colonoscopy procedures.
- The cookie diet reduce the total caloric intake but the craving for real chocolate or bread or starch eventually overwhelms the dieter.
How to lose those last 5 pounds
This isn’t an immediate solution to fit better into an outfit by the weekend but there is an easier and less expensive solution than joining the many weight loss clinics which require tests and appointments.
Accepting the weight isn’t a weight loss solution, but a technique to change the inner self criticism. If that isn’t possible, try the following 6 tips if you want to lose 5 pounds:
1. Interval training
Theories debate continuous exercise vs. spurts. Active spurts of walking and running seem to be effective and sustainable for even non-athletes. Ideally practice interval training for 30 minutes a day four days a week. Acceptable is 90 to 120 minutes a week over three days with rest in between. Over time, weight is lost if all else remains constant due to burning more calories and building muscle mass.
2. Elliptical training
3.5 miles per hour at 25 minutes is better than 4.0 for 10 minutes. Aim for 25 minutes until 30 minutes seem natural and then increase the speed in small increments weekly. If the elliptical has inclines, use this to increase the energy expended. This is a plan that doesn’t imply changing any food intake. Check out an activity burn chart for calorie burned numbers.
3. Walking daily as weight loss method
Prevention Magazine is an advocate of the power of walking. Walking briskly 30 minutes a day and not changing anything else can result in a 10-pound weight loss over a year. Leaving room for error and rainy days, assume this will provide the five pound weight loss.
4. Pedometers help measure steps
Walking 7000 steps a day (3 1/2 mile) will maintain a healthy weight and can get many benefits from it. Adding more steps increases the odds of losing a few pounds. If you want to start walking for to lose weight, the general rule of thumb is to walk at least 10,000 steps daily.
5. Sleep
Too much sleep makes the body sluggish but too little doesn’t rev the engine to burn more fat. It only serves to keep the body sluggish conserving what little energy there is for getting through the day. The average person needs between six to nine hours a night for cortisol production and weight stability. Lack of sleep can increase stress and cortisol causing weight gain.
6. Food plan
Don’t deprive the body of all cravings but set aside a day or time to satisfy one or two. If wine is a luxury then have it on Saturday only. Similarly, chocolate. No one item is going to destroy an entire weight loss plan. If it is determined that even having one of the desired item leads to total lack of control, for example, one potato chip, then that item should be discarded and a substitute found. If it’s salty and crunchy that is desired, try a pretzel rather than a chip once a week.
If the American Dietetic Association claims cutting 100 calories a day results in a loss of 10 pounds a year, cutting 50 calories a day (salad dressing, a can of soda, coffee lattes with cream, or Starbucks café Mocha?) may result in a loss of five pounds.
Logically speaking, five pounds isn’t even a different dress size, but a comfort zone. Most people can lose the weight, but the trick is maintaining the weight loss. The above measures are a good beginning to long-term loss of small amounts of weight. It didn’t happen overnight; so not focusing on immediate loss is more productive ultimately.
walking is great to see nature too
Thanks for sharing this article with us.
I like to walk daily but need to work on my diet.
Walking has always been great for my physical and mental health.