How to lose the last 10 pounds

[leisly]

I thought I might start this thread because I know I need it and perhaps others do too.

Even if I am the only one here, needing this, talking to myself, it might help me reach my goal.

On the one hand, the positives of only having the ‘last 10 pounds’ to lose are:

– Having lost X lbs of excess weight – you now find yourself “skinnier” than the majority of your contemporaries/peers (and are constantly hearing comments along those lines)
– You are enjoying fitting into your ‘skinny’ clothes and can wear sizes you never even dreamed about or have’t been able to wear for years
– You are not embarrassed to wear a bikini in public
– You actually feel pretty good about how you look
– You seem to be maintaining at this look and weight without too much trouble
– The workouts are part of your routine

One might think our work is done……..

BUT

– Every time you look in the mirror or bathe you can see that obviously there is still excess fat to be lost
– In order to be near or at your ideal waist more fat needs to come off
– In order to take it from looking ‘good’ to ‘fantastic’ there is more work to be done

The problem is not that we don’t have the know how or the tools – the problem is MOTIVATION to use what we know and not just stay put.

[Mia]

Love the idea for this thread! Not sure I’m ready to utilize it just yet, but glad it’s here for when I’m ready to fully commit. I thought that I could just “hammer it home” and lose these last 10 by May, but I’m under too much stress and anxiety right now with our looming move. My anxiety over our move and stressing about my weight was causing me to “shut down”, emotionally and productively. Not good. Turns out I just can’t do it all, lol.

[susan]

I don’t totally fit in with the “positives” in my mind, but know I don’t have much more than 10 pounds to lose. At having said that, I feel very far from reaching my ideal waist (4+ inches). I lose weight very, very slowly.

[Diana]

I’ve been wanting to really get to my ideal waist but just kind of stuck like you blogged about, Leisly. I am 5-7 lbs away depending on the day. I was thinking back to last December the uncontest really helped be break through a plateau I had hit in my post-pregnancy weight loss. I have been feeling a bit up and down about where I’m at and the points at the beginning really hit home! Thanks for posting. Let’s motivate each other!

[camille]

I was kind of counting on my weight loss to be about 5 lbs per month. Since I started with about 20 to lose, I’m now in the <15 lb range to get there. So, I’m cheating, a bit, posting on this board, but I’m hopeful that I can get this done.

I don’t think I can be successful by the end of April, 2018, but at least when it’s down to 5 – 7 lbs, I will like my look at that time (more than my look at this time).

[leisly]

Ok, here is what I am thinking about for today to motivate myself to keep moving forward:

Track Record

Maybe before we started ESE we didn’t have much of a track record regarding setting weight loss goals, and achieving or maintaining the loss.

So one advantage of being at the ‘last 10 lbs’ point is that we have now built up a positive ‘credit’ in our mind regarding our ability to reach weight loss goals. It was only by setting a goal and working hard at it that we have successfully arrived at this point. We know ESE works. With that in mind – we have more of a sound basis than ever to truly believe that our next goal is achievable as well.

We can believe in our ability to meet our future goals because we now have a track record of meeting previous goals. Armed with the power of a newly acquired positive track record we can keep moving forward with confidence.

What is motivating you?

[Mia]

My motivation, today, is that I had to take my month-end photos and my month-end measurements.

I haven’t had time to compare my photos, side-by-side with last month (I’ll do that on the weekend), but the measurements, at least, show a reduction of my natural waist, my chest-under-breasts, and my hips (over biggest bum part). Now THAT is motivation!

I’ll step on the scale when I get to the gym and, with any luck, even THAT number will be motivating, today.

[susan]

These last 10 lbs are 100% FOR ME. They are ABOUT ME. They are what I WANT. So, yes, I really *do* need to figure out THE PLAN because otherwise, “failing to plan means planning to fail”, to me.

For my plan:

1. continuing with a 6-8 hour eating window on a daily basis;
2. alotting calories by DAY. For me, I function much better if I eat the same thing, day-in-and-day-out without any thought about it;
3. try and do 20-22 hour fasts one day per week – for me, in case any of my daily-calorie-logging was *off* by this much or that much, this gives me a chance to make that up;
4. get my exercise in. Everytime. All the time.
5. Drink my water. Every day. All day long.

That’s my plan.

[leisly]

It is awesome that you have such a solid plan in place….and the drive. no doubt you are going to get there Beeps!

I’ve let my plan go all willy nilly. I’ll put something in writing today.

[leisly]

so today was an excellent exercise for me in ‘Am I really happy with my current look?’ as I went clothes shopping. A friend of mine owns a store and this evening she opened it up just for me and I got to try things on to my hearts content. WELL. Turns out I’m not so happy in a bikini after all. Turns out there is still some spillage over the pants. Turns out that 3 way mirrors and excellent lighting just don’t lie. Turns out I see LOTS of room for improvement.

I thought i was looking GREAT and maybe I was, compared to how I looked before. But today I clearly saw that there is more work that can be done and NEEDS to be done for me to be happy in my own skin.

[Isabelle]

Good for you Leisly. Those mirrors are very motivating…….

This last 10lb is only about what we as individuals want. No one else. Hubbies, well men in general, won’t see it, and many of our women friends will feel a bit threatened. I think as your confidence with your physical shape grows, and you look better, people feel that they have the right to make what is a very harsh comment. You are skinny, or vain, or going overboard. You have to remind yourself that it is what you want that matters, and that many people are not coming from a place of love but rather one of jealousy that you dare to be different. To swim against the tide of obesity and muffin tops.

[Mia]

I’m now in the “last 10 lbs” group, for real.

I weighed in at 154.2 today – which is down from 154.4 on Friday!

I have a feeling, though, that when I get to 145, I might want to get to 140….but, I’ll determine that when I get there!

Oh, and I got a weight-training work-out in, today, so maybe my weight will jump as my body retains water for muscle-repair. But, I’m going to be optimistic and believe that I am PROPERLY in the “last 10 lbs” club!

I have kept my calories lower – not going over 1,150 calories and, in fact, I think Saturday was about an 800 calorie day.

I think the “carb cravings” have subsided and I should have a good month run.

I’m EXCITED!

[leisly]

Well, I’ve learned what motivates me – vacations! Just found out today my in-laws are planning a vacation in April for a week away with us somewhere with a pool. All of a sudden I felt this whoooosh of motivation and it was like, GAME ON!

I’m starting to think that knowing you are gonna be out there – in a bikini – in public, is perhaps one of the best motivations there can be. At least for me.

AS SOON as I heard about the vacation – it was like a switch went off inside me and today, for the first time in weeks, I’m rocking a 750 cal day (well, the day is not over, but so far, so good). I made a plan for the week and have allowed myself to bank cals for an eating event on Sunday. All of a sudden, I feel much more motivated and serious about this.

So this got me thinking for you other 10 lb gals – what can you sign up for or plan that might have the same GAME ON effect for you?

[Mia]

Seeing the scale go down-down-down motivates me!

For whatever reason, I’m down to 153.8 lbs, today. And, this was my 2nd day BACK at weight-training, so I would think my water retention would be going FULL-BORE.

I have been very controlled with my nutrition-plan. That, for me, has been KEY. I don’t know why my early scale losses were so puny, but they are picking up, now.

And, THAT motivates me!

I’d like to be down the 10 lbs by the summer.

Once I’m down that 10 lbs, then I’ll have a MUCH better idea on whether I need to go lower or not.

[Mia]

I did pretty well this weekend! No eating out, whatsoever – everything was homemade – mostly chicken stir-fries and beef stir-fries.

Because I had a long cardio session on Saturday, I was WAY under my 1,200 calories for that day! Nice.

I feel REALLY good about how my weekend went! Am hoping to see a change on the scale, today, but who knows?

I did bring some mandarin oranges into the office with me, today….trying to add ANY fruit into my diet! (I’m very fruit-deprived….I just don’t like it very much!) And, am trying to get more veggies in, too….I’m almost strictly into protein these days – I NEED MORE FIBER!

[leisly]

Way to go Mia! That’s awesome! I too am trying to add more fruit to my diet. I’ve kind of been enjoying the ‘its just calories’ thing too much and giving myself carte blanche to eat whatever garbage I want to eat. So this week I’m focusing more on better choices. Eating garbage leads to wanting to eat more garbage. Whereas better choices (with small treats allowed) should help the cravings to dissipate. I’m hoping.

[KatriceOrtmeier]

All fit and beautiful that I see in TV and movies are my inspiration to keep doing workout and dieting to want my dream fitness or body shape.

[Author]

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