Any tips for those last 5 lbs?

I haven't posted in quite a long time and basically consider myself "done" as far as losing, at least that is what I tell people. I am blown away by how much I lost and where I am today. My ticker says 128, but I am basically hovering around 130. Monday's (after the weekend) I may go up to 132 due to higher carbs and not so much water, but it usually drops back down during the week. I currently wear a size 4, sometimes a 2.

That being said, for my own personal goal I would like to lose another 5 lbs. There are several reasons for this, one is just to see if I can - as I have never been below 129 since high school, and two - I am sort of between sizes now and would like to be a sold size 2 and three - this would give me even more of a cushion for some bounce back.

The problem is that I have yet to figure out how to do this. I have tried restricting calories and sticking to high protein, as well as increasing my exercise. Nothing gets me below that 130 mark. I think even the 128 was a dream weight after I had been sick for a week or so, but when I felt better, the weight stabalized at 130.

I know this is a common problem, the dreaded last 5 pounds. And maybe I am expecting too much from my body at this point. Everyone else says I look too skinny as it is, but I was sort of hedging on the fact that they have just never seen me at a normal weight before, and for my height, I am just barely normal. I also have this small fear that if I don't have a goal to lose weight, I may just gain. I think maintenance scares me more than anything, so if I am always striving for those last pesky pounds, I am more mindful of what I am eating. Also, when I look int he mirror, I see lots of extra skin - which to me looks like extra fat.

Does this make sense to anyone? Does any one have any tips or advice for me?

Thanks for reading this post.

Just out of curiousity, how much smaller do you think you need to be than a 2/4? A 2 is pretty small, no matter what your height.

Keep those last 5 pounds, listen to the people who are telling you that you're too skinny, and stop obsessing about a number on the scale.

I'm no where near the last 5 lbs yet but wanted to say congrat on doing a great job.  If it comes, great, if not, you are still a winner and I'm sure look great.

I should probably clarify that I am pretty short, 5'2". So, my normal range is I think 105 - 135. So I am no where near being underweight, and with some bounce back could even be in the over-weight range.

Just keep pluggin' along with high protein and lots of fluids. It took me 5 or 6 more months to get to my final goal of 115. I'm 5'1" - 5'2" or there abouts. All together, 11 months to get to goal. The last 10 pounds took forever! lol 

--gina
 

I'm also 5'2" or so (grew just a little since surgery) and I'm hoving around 123 now. I did bounce back up to 128, but got it back down. I know we all carry our weight differently too.



I didn't pay attention to the type of surgery you had - sorry, but wondering if you drink protein drinks?



I too weigh my success on the scale. I know at what point my clothes start feeling tight and it definitely keeps me accountable.



Like Gina said - up your water, cut your carbs. But what I ended up figure out is, I was still eating 5 meals a day. My pouch is bigger now and filling it 5 times was giving me too many calories. I've cut the 2 snacks out unless I'm absolutely starving, then it is a protein drink or high protein type of snack (greek yogurt). I also cut out the evening grazing and reduced the number of "adult beverages". BUT - the biggest thing I did was to LISTEN to my body and only ate when I was hungry - not according to the clock (which I had been doing before).



The skin is an issue with everyone I believe. That's something you have to decide if you can live with or not. But - maintain for at least 6 months before you make any decisions regarding that. I found that it continually redistributes, and an area you hated before now becomes tolerable....

Congratulations on getting to where you are now!!  We are in the same area.  I still need to drop a few more pounds to be a normal BMI and would like to go a little lower for the bounce back.

I just keep plugging away and still log my food(more during the week than on the weekends), keep up with my calories, carbs, fat & protein amounts.  I do find myself eating more things I shouldn't eat and every once in a while I have to really get back to basics.  That is when I notice I will drop some more weight.    Are you logging your food to get accurate numbers for your calories, carbs, fats & proteins?  If not, you might want to do that for a while just to make sure you are in a good range.  Water also helps me to do better.  When I don't drink enough, I will go up and pound or two, but when I increase the water, it comes right back off.

Linda

I had RNY and am almost 18 months out. 

I always do a protein shake for breakfast, since it has been cold I have been doing a click coffee with 1/2 scoop of additional protein, almost 25 grams of protein with 180 calories. 

I then snack on a banana mid-morning, usually have 1/2 sandwich for lunch, and then whatever the family is eating for dinner, usually just smaller portions.  Maybe only 1/2 of the hamburger or very little of the pasta but more meatballs.  I have tracked and I eat somewhere between 1200 - 1500 calories per day.  I try to drink 50 oz of water a day and then alot of decaf tea with splenda.  I am more forgetful about the water on weekends, and may snack a little more then on crackers (special k are my current favorite).  Also if I feel short on protein for the day (I try to get in at least 60 grams per my dr.) I drink a glass or two of milk.

I think I will try the following:

I've cut the 2 snacks out unless I'm absolutely starving, then it is a protein drink or high protein type of snack (greek yogurt). I also cut out the evening grazing and reduced the number of "adult beverages". BUT - the biggest thing I did was to LISTEN to my body and only ate when I was hungry - not according to the clock (which I had been doing before).

It may be that I am grazing more than I think, and I find myself on weekend getting into the old habit of eating when I am not really hungry.  I will try to be more mindful and see how it goes.

Thanks for the great advice from everyone.
 

 Ok  doesnt sound like  Ure  following Ur  Docs advice  of  lean protein FIRST  VEGGIES  second , fruit   THIRD  , grains LAST  ........

hamburger  in meatball, meatloaf , burger   form is usually high fat.  Then it SOUNDS  like Ure  going pretty much to  grains ......

so its an EASY  fix ....


more veggies =  more fiber =  more poop  = more  weight loss =  five lbs lost   voila 

i wi**** was that easy for me !!    the devil is in the DETAILS ive found .... drink water , eat  figs   every night  ... Ull get to goal .  

Please tel lme how it FEELs  cuz sometimes i think Ill NEVER get there .....

I could have written this post myself....well except the size 2/4  lol.   Ive been 5-7 lbs from goal for a few weeks now.  The darn scale just wont budge!!!   Good luck!  Cindy