Shedding the last few pounds can be a daunting task. It is common for people to lose some weight and then plateau.
You may eat right plant-based foods and exercise, but still can’t seem to figure out how to lose the last 10 pounds!
Unfortunately, women can have an even harder time losing weight around their tummy. It is natural for our bodies to want to be prepared for pregnancy.
However, fret not! I will discuss some strategies you can use in order to lose those last few pounds for good!
Cut Down On Your Daily Calorie Intake
Most people with 10 or fewer pounds to lose are already at a healthy weight, so your body may resist losing any further weight.
While you need to be mindful of not creating too much of a calorie deficit, you need to further reduce your current calorie intake if you want to lose the last extra pounds.
“Food restriction is the primary driver of weight loss, and any diet that results in eating fewer calories will produce weight loss.”
– Endocrine Reviews by James O. Hill
Start out by decreasing 100 calories per day this week from your current calorie intake, and reevaluate after that.
Maximize The Potential Of Your Metabolism
Eating pastries and cereal for breakfast every day sounds delicious! The problem is, if you are eating processed foods, you may slow down your metabolism.
Processed foods can cause inflammation in the body, which is another factor that slows down weight loss.
To speed up your sluggish metabolic rate because of processed food consumption habits, eat whole organic produce as much as possible and avoiding sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup.
If you follow me, you also know that I am a strong advocate of a plant-based diet.
Download this cheat sheet to learn the secrets to go from busy and out-of-shape to energetic and fit!
Rev Up Your Cardio
Cardiovascular exercises such as running or cycling are good because they increase your heart rate (and therefore calorie burning).
Many people make the mistake of only doing resistance/strength training. Cardio burns more calories than resistance training. Therefore, if you’re looking to lose those last few pounds, then this is the way forward.
(However, I believe that resistance training should not be neglected either, as resistance training helps to maintain muscle mass).
I encourage you to read further on this topic by reading my blog post “How To Workout To Lose Weight“.
Stress Less And Sleep More
Stress can lead to weight gain because it can cause hormonal changes that lead to increased appetite, emotional eating, and decreased metabolism.
I recommend meditating to get rid of those last 10 pounds. Taking even a few minutes out of our busy crazy lives can have a big impact on our stress levels. To learn more about meditation, click here.
Getting enough sleep can also reduce stress, as having a rested body and mind will help you when it comes down to dealing with stressful situations or events.
Also, keep in mind that sleep deprivation causes an increase in the production of ghrelin, which stimulates hunger pangs for sugary foods such as chocolate bars!
Don’t Lose Your Motivation
When you have been on a plateau in your weight loss journey for a while, you might feel defeated.
One way to keep yourself motivated to lose the last 10 pounds is to decide on a reward for yourself when you reach your goal weight, such as a spa day!
Another way is to find an accountability partner who will keep up the same hard work as you, and who will cheer for each other’s successes.
Conclusion
I truly hope that the tips and tricks I provided above on how to lose the last 10 pounds on a plant-based diet are helpful to you.
Remember that being in a caloric deficit, doing cardio, and taking care of your body and mind, will lead you on the right path!
Be happy with the progress you have made so far. It is important not to lose sight of what you have already accomplished. Being 10 pounds away from your weight-loss goal is no small feat!
Lily
Hi, I'm Lily! Like you, I have struggled with my weight. It was not an easy journey but I was able to lose 40 pounds and have kept it off for 14 years. My goal is to share with you all the research, tips, and tricks that I have learned over the years to help you lose weight also.Download this cheat sheet to learn the secrets to go from busy and out-of-shape to energetic and fit!