In shape but struggling to lose that last 10 lbs...

**AnnastasiaB** · 09-12-2011 11:02 AM

I workout at least 5 times a week. Two-three times I train Brazilian Capoeira, which is intense cardio and strength training. The other three days I am doing weights and circuit training. I am learning quickly that just exercise alone won't cut it if you need to lose more weight or even just to keep up.
My diet is pretty healthy but I definitely don't hold back when I have a craving for sweets or want a beer. I always would justify this because I am working out so much. However, I am not really losing more weight. I have sort of gotten comfortable with my diet and workout plan and it's time for a change. I want to change my diet but am looking for a diet that is not ridiculously difficult to manage. Does anyone have any recommendations?

**Seeker_Advice** · 09-12-2011 02:59 PM

Change your exercise program before you change your diet...

Muscle memory can cause plateaus in our ability to continue to lose weight.

Increase your fiber intake too. 25 grams daily is recommended for most women.

What we do outside of the gym is much more important than what we do inside of the gym as we lose about 70% of our weight while away from the gym/exercise.

**snooks** · 09-13-2011 12:12 AM

What SA says is true. Diets don't work. Sensible eating habits and constant movement with regular exercise do. Our bodies need good balanced nutrition and limiting any one of them, such as carbs will only cause weight to come back again once we return to our usual habits. Fruit, veg, wholegrain, low fat dairy and lean meat. Cut out or at least limit sugar and saturated fat, get enough sleep and drink water.

**yourfullplate** · 09-22-2011 03:31 PM

Hey AnnastasiaB! Nice to meet you! Grr, those last ten pounds can be so frigging annoying. For me it was my last 15-20 pounds. I could not seem to get them to budge, as hard as I exercised!

I found a few things to be helpful, and they were surprising because they were NOT cutting back on my calories or exercising more (which is what everyone told me to do):

- It might be the types of foods you're eating rather than the amounts. For example, when I cut out Diet Cokes, changing NOTHING else, some weight came flying off. I had a similar experience when I cut out gluten. Even though my overall food intake quantity was the same, cutting out foods that didn't agree with me let my body 'relax' and let go of some more weight.

- I hate to say it, but it might just be a mental thing. Sometimes the only cure for losing a few pounds is forgetting that you're trying to lose a few pounds, as hard as that can be to do. Stress, including stress about your body weight, makes us hold on to weight. So focus on doing nice things for yourself! I also thought that sounded kind of silly, but I have totally found it to be true. That's why even though I love the fact that I lost 60 pounds and keep it off, I try not to stress it too heavily.

I hope that's helpful! Have a great night!