Ask an Expert: Tommy, I've lost so much but need to lose more. Help!
Written by Tommy Europe, host of The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp
Q: Hi Tommy, Like the people on your show, I'm trying to lose the “last 10 pounds.” This is part of a long journey for me. Five years ago, I weighed 250 pounds. I've lost the weight in a healthy manner, changing my eating habits and exercising. Now that I'm at 145 pounds (and 5'4) my goal is in sight: 130–135 pounds. The problem is that I'm eating healthy and working out five days a week, but the weight is just not budging. It's been several months now that I've hit this plateau and it's tough to keep up the motivation to work so hard and not see results. Any advice you have would be very welcome! Thanks! Jeanette
A: Hello, Jeanette, congratulations on your healthy lifestyle change. You have a lot to be proud of for losing 105 pounds. That tells me how committed you are to reaching your goal. I’m very familiar with people wanting to lose the last 10 pounds and, with a few tweaks to your current training program, you can do it too!
To break through your plateau and lose your last 10 pounds, it is going to be a healthy balance between proper nutrition and High Intensity TrainingZ!
One idea is to see a registered dietician to evaluate your current eating patterns to see if there are some changes to be made. Proper nutrition is often overlooked, but it’s an essential part to losing that last bit of stubborn weight.
On the training tip, you’re going to have to push yourself beyond your comfort zone! By that I don’t mean putting yourself at risk by doing exercises that are dangerous or beyond your capabilities. I mean changing things up and trying something new.
I’ve been around gyms and fitness centres for over 20 years and over that period of time I’ve witnessed fitness enthusiasts who are at the gym for HOURS and do the exact same things EVERYDAY! You need to change the variables from time to time (ideally every 6–8 weeks), that could be done via different phases of a program, cardio, or bootcamp classes, or hiring a trainer to put a program together for you.
For those seeking a stronger, leaner, and toned physique, I find that interval training and full body workouts are the best way to burn the largest number of calories in the shortest amount of time. I believe in functional training, so I stay off of most machines and instead use the bosu, stability ball, resistance bands, and dumb bells as an alternative. Your intensity level will have to increase as well. Once you’re finished your workout, you should feel as if you actually exerted yourself.
If you ever get that “I can’t” feeling in your mind, remove it. If you constantly challenge yourself and push past your comfort zone, you will get the most out of your workouts, stay motivated, and achieve great results without getting bored. There is no better feeling in the world than reaching a goal after battling some adversity, so lift your head up and get ready for round 2!
Play safe and have fun,
Tommy Europe
13HITZ (High Intensity TrainingZ)
www.tommyeurope.tv
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