Whether the five pounds are the end of a long weight-loss journey, or they're the only weight you've ever had to lose, they're notoriously hard to get rid of. You feel like you've already tried everything- why won't those five pounds budge? It can be incredibly frustrating.
First, stop beating yourself up. Five pounds will, ultimately, not change how you feel about your body because it's really a very small amount. The body can fluctuate five pounds or more overnight, so it's really important to not fixate on the number too much. Aiming for achievable goals is great, but always zoom out and think about how little your life will truly change if the scale says 145 instead of 150.
That being said, if you're truly set on getting rid of five pounds, try the following tips. They're all completely healthy, and they're changes that will improve your well-being overall, while also helping you slim down slowly and safely.
1. Say goodbye to booze.
If you drink several times per week, cutting your alcohol intake in half (or more!) will save you thousands of empty calories. If you're at a party and you're craving something to sip on, go with light drinks like vodka soda and white wine spritzers. Remember, you're not saying goodbye to beer forever, just until you've reached your goal. Once you've done so, a beer as a treat every once in awhile is no problem.
2. Sleep.
It's vital that you get your nighttime snoozes in. Recent studies showed that sleep deprivation causes you to make significantly worse snacking choices, so don't cloud your snack judgement by only getting a couple of hours of sleep. A slower metabolism is also caused by sleep deprivation.
3. Change up your workouts.
If you haven't been exercising, start, but if you're already in a set routine, make sure to change it up. It doesn't have to be more intense, but aim for one extra workout per week, and try a new form of exercise. If you've been running, go swimming. If you've been doing yoga, start jogging. Add some strength training. Your body gets used to workouts much more quickly than you'd realize.
4. Cut down on refined sugar.
Again, if you're trying to push for the last five pounds, you need to make some changes. You don't have to say goodbye to refined sugar forever, but cut it out until you meet your goal and then you can treat yourself every once in awhile.
