Losing the last 10 pounds

From the MSN website:

10lb to go... For lots of people, that amount of weight goes on the quickest - and is the hardest to lose.

"I was feeling and looking pretty great, and I was in a healthy weight range," says one dieter, Jennifer. "But I had already upped the Goal I was shooting for along the way (my high school weight wasn't realistic), so I really wanted to get to the number I had chosen."

But even though she really wanted to reach her Goal Weight, it took Jennifer three times as long to lose those last pounds. So why are those last few pounds so tough?

Nearing the Finish Line
"Several factors come together to create the 'pain' of the last 10lb," says Karen Miller-Kovach, chief scientist for Weight Watchers International.

The newness of losing weight has worn off, so your motivation may start to dwindle.
You've gotten used to it, so it starts to become difficult to maintain the same level of dieter discipline. Plus, there may be a physical reason your weight loss is slowing. "Your rate of weight loss is not going to be the same because you're a smaller person," says Miller-Kovach.

Tips for the Final Hurdle
So it's a fact that the last 10lb are a real struggle. But remember: It can be done. "I knew that no matter how long it took, it wouldn't be time wasted," says Jennifer. "So I kept going to my Meetings and kept in touch with other users on the Message Boards. And I really paid attention to what the Success Stories had to say."

Take a tip from Jennifer's success and listen to those who have been there. We've gathered some of the best advice from real dieters on how to lose the last 10. Here's what we found out:


"Don't expect it to come off quickly," says one veteran dieter. "Stay focused and don't worry - as long as you continue to work at it, the weight will come off." Be realistic about your expectations.
"I would keep trying on new clothes in my favourite clothing stores," says another dieter, Maria. "That always reminded me that although I may look good where I am now, I still don't fit into that size I would really be comfortable at."
"Drink water! Remember: six or more glasses a day." says Ann.
If you have not yet become physically active, do so, says Miller-Kovach. "If you've been moderate, rev it up." Exercise enhances your mood and helps to counteract the physical slowing of your weight loss. "Plus, we know how important physical activity is for keeping the weight loss off," Miller-Kovach continues. "So it's great preparation for maintaining the weight loss." Dina saw it work: "I didn't work out that much when I first started dieting, but as soon as I started exercising, the weight came right off."
Be sure to keep track of everything you eat.
One last suggestion from Ann: "PATIENCE. Never give up."