Thread: Those last five pounds...

try to find healthy/low calorie alternatives that have a similiar flavor to the things you crave... if you go for chips... try one of those 100 calorie popcorn mini bags -- if you like chocolate... try one of of those chocolate yogurts.. etc... if you are a grazer that likes to snack throughout the day... keep celery and bean sprouts on hand ... you can load up on those as much as you want.

But keep in mind that the weight you have in mind for your body may not be what your body has in mind... you are working out good... perhaps you are gaining muscle mass/tone and that is why the scale isn't saying what you want... go for how you feel and how your body looks more than that magic number. Use measurements... etc.. instead of the scale it will give you a way better idea since you are so close to your goal weight and since you work out a lot you are likely to feel and notice your success' more by watching your shape than your weight.

Your body is going to naturally fight you at his point... it seeks homeostasis.. a state where its not gaining or losing and is just at a healthy point... thats where people generally feel a plateau... in order to push through you have to shake things up a bit... changing your work out routine or diet usually gets the ball rolling again.

118 lbs would put you underweight for your height... so I wonder why you are pushing for 120? Keep in mind at your height and depending on if you have muscle tone/tight physique ... you are probably going to weigh more but likely look better than someone 5'5 120 or someone 5'8 120 with no muscle tone

those last few pounds always are so difficult! keeep trying though!

although may seem kind of silly, perhaps it's good to set the goal to be 115 lb to hit your 120 lb mark. mentally, that helps me.

other posters are correct - it's not easy but you gotta keep at it. the more fat you lose, the harder your body holds onto the remaining fat available. you could also try a 1-step backward, 2 step forward approach - adding a cheat day to "trick" your body into thinking that it's getting the calories it needs so it doesn't have to hold onto the fat so stubbornly, and then when your energy levels are back up, work out with even more intensity!

as others have mentioned, also switch up the workout - rest times can go down, move into super set training, or circuit training, etc. But keep at it...just because progress is slowing down doesn't mean you're not losing fat. ..just harder to measure with the tools available. but keep at it! good lucK!

How about some credit and/or a pat on the back for getting to this point? I think it's PHENOMENAL!! Congratulations!!

The light at the end of your tunnel IS sunshine and not an oncoming freight train. Way to go!

I don't have any secrets or tips on how to get those last five pounds off, other than increasing your intensity a bit.

I just thought it was appropriate to recognize, acknowledge and congratulate you on your efforts!