The Last Few Pounds: Don’t Let Your Weight Loss Goals Slip When You Are In The Last Mile.
When you decide to lose the belly fat, the first few pounds is often very easy. That’s good because it’s a great motivator when you see results right away. But as you lose more, the rate of loss, and the speed with which you see visible effects, slows down. It’s hard to keep going when you aren’t seeing the benefits.
Don’t give up, though. Remember that at a certain level, you will find that initial burst of effort is only getting you about eighty percent of the way there. The other twenty percent are a great deal more difficult, and when you are looking to get that final twenty percent out there and keep the results you get, there are some important things to keep in mind.
Remember that getting rid of those final ten or twenty pounds can be a matter of will and determination. Remember that good enough never is, and that if you are looking into settling, you may be letting yourself into a downward spiral.
But beware of long term effects when you are trying to lose stomach fat.
One long term effect is the difficulty of maintaining staying power for other goals. If you develop a habit of giving up before the job is complete, it becomes that much more difficult to stick with it the next time. On the upside, if you do go that last mile, the positive morale boost is a great reinforcer.
The other possibility in giving up too easily and too soon can be a greater difficulty in keeping the weight off. The earlier you let go of your original goal without achieving it, the more likely you are to gain at least some of that weight back. Sticking with it helps keep those hard earned results permanently.
There are physiological reasons as well why that last 20% can be tough. Some bodies just reach a natural plateau. It can be just a stopping point on the way to a higher peak, however. It’s difficult to know for sure unless you keep climbing.
You may have also realized that the exercises that you are doing are not working as well as they used to. Think about in terms of effort. In many ways, it takes an impressive push to get the last bit of your goal met.
Think about the exercises that you have been doing. If you have been doing a good cardio workout for half an hour, three times a week, it might be time to try it four or five days a week instead. Also think about making it a longer workout as well. Keep in mind that you should always pay attention to your body and to avoid overextending yourself. This can make all the difference in the world when you want to get the right results!
When you are thinking of upping the intensity of your workout, try some interval training. Don’t overdo it; if you are not used to it, this can be quite strenuous. Don’t risk your health and remember that an injury can set you back further than any plateau.
Try some new exercises. If your body has become too used to what you are doing, you may find that that last twenty percent stays elusive. It might be the hardest part of your weight loss plan!
Keep at it until you hit your final desired goal, then keep it steady. Long term results require a permanent lifestyle change.
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