5 ways to get rid of those pesky final few pounds

Published 12:52 pm Monday, January 25, 2010

Many successful dieters get stuck near the end of their weight loss journey, but nutritionists and trainers say there are ways to move past the frustration.

Here are five tips to reinvigorate your efforts:

1. Don’t starve yourself. Your metabolism will slow, which could lead to future weight gain. To feel fuller, add healthy proteins to meals and snack, such as a thin spread of peanut butter on whole-wheat bread or sliced turkey on a salad.

2. Shake up your fitness routine. When your body gets too used to one type of exercise, you don’t need to burn as many calories to get through a workout. Add 10 or 15 minutes on an exercise machine, alternate periods of high and low intensity, walk at a brisker pace or try something new altogether.

3. Look for little diet trims. Some examples: Eat one slice of bread on a sandwich instead of two, order a child-sized scoop of ice cream rather than a small, use less oil when you cook and switch to lower-fat cheeses.

4. Beware of high-calorie drinks. Many dieters sabotage their efforts with coffee drinks, alcoholic beverages and smoothies full of fat, calories and sugar. Drink plenty of water and get specialty drinks with non-fat milk and no syrup added.

5. Get enough rest. Too little sleep triggers hormonal changes that increase hunger and fat storage.