Losing Those Stubborn Pounds

I received a few emails recently asking how to lose the last 10-15 pounds. This always seems to be a sticking point where people stagnate.

So the all important question hangs in the balance: how do I lose these last stubborn pounds?

First, you need to ask yourself this: do I really need to lose 10 pounds?

Yes, you need to ask yourself that question. A lot of people (especially women) get caught up on wanting to weigh a specific number. If they don’t weigh (put a weight here), then they won’t be happy.

Why is this?

Whenever a client tells me they want to weigh (put a weight here), I always ask them “Why?” If his/her answer is, “That is what I weighed in high school or college,” then they need to come up with a better answer. That one is not acceptable.

Just because you weighed 130 pounds at 20 years old does not mean you should weigh 130 pounds at 40 years old.

Let me explain.

Let’s say you have been training hard for the past several months (lifting weights and doing bodyweight exercises, of course) and you feel damn good. Your clothes are looser, you look great, and you feel wonderful. Then, you step on to the scale and immediately the smile on your face disappears.

Why?

This happens to so many women. Just because the scale reveals a number that is 10 pounds more than what they want, they automatically are not satisfied.

Look, I’m going to be blunt: forget the damn number on the scale. Focus instead on how you feel and how your clothes are fitting. Take measurements and get your body fat tested. Focus on your performance in the gym. Those are much better methods to go by and to determine your health.

I have seen women diet themselves almost to death and workout multiple hours a day just to reach that “ideal” number. Yes, they reach that weight, but, they still are not happy.

Why?

They are not happy because it takes so much effort to remain at that weight. They have to constantly diet and exercise to maintain that weight.

Wouldn’t you rather be at a weight that is easy to maintain? Wouldn’t you rather be able to enjoy the foods you love and only have to workout 3-5 hours per week? Wouldn’t you rather focus your time and energy on more important things than eating and working out?

Next time I will tell you how you can lose those last 10-15 pounds if you are sure that is the direction you want and need to go. But, before then, think long and hard about why you desire to drop those pounds.

Yes, maybe you want to lose excess fat, and there is nothing wrong with that. But don’t get overly focused on a number on a scale.

Until then, train smart. Focus on improving your performance in the gym. Eat natural, unprocessed foods. Have a meal or two once a week that you don’t stress over. Enjoy life.

Remember: your eating pattern and exercise habits should revolve around your life, not the other way around.

Leave your questions and comments below.