How to Lose the Last Couple of Pounds Around the Waist

You have been exercising regularly, eating well and losing weight. Then the weight loss stops and you grow somewhat frustrated. You probably have hit a weight loss plateau. There are some steps, however, that can you help lose those last few pounds, including weight around the waistline. Always check with a doctor before beginning or changing any diet or exercise program.

Things You'll Need

• Workout gear
• Food diary

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Instructions

• 1

  Alter your workout. Once you start an exercise routine and get stronger, the body adjusts and becomes more efficient. The result is that the same exercise no longer has an affect on your weight. If you run on a treadmill or outdoors, add some weight training a few times a week. Add an additional workout into your week or exercise longer each day.

• 2

  Change your diet routine. If you typically consume a certain number of calories per day, change how you consume those calories. For example, if your daily caloric total is 2,000, try consuming 2,100 calories one day and 1,900 the next. This can help jump start a sluggish metabolism. However, do not consume less than 1,800 calories a day without a doctor's supervision.

• 3

  Eat more often. While this may seem counterproductive when trying to lose weight, eating four or five small meals a day instead of three larger ones can boost your metabolism, which helps with weight loss. Keep the meals small, typically less than 500 calories, and balanced with protein and carbohydrates.

• 4

  Keep a food diary. You may be consuming more food than you realize by taking little bites or tastes of food or drinking high calorie liquids such as cola or flavored coffee drinks. Write down everything you eat or drink, when you eat, how you felt before and after you ate. This may help you cut back on unnecessary eating.

• 5

  Determine your body mass index (BMI) and corresponding daily calorie needs. This can help you adjust your diet and exercise routines to make sure you meet your daily number of required calories. As a result of weight you already have lost, you may be exceeding or underestimating the number of calories you need every day -- both will make it harder to lose weight. You can find a BMI and daily calorie need intake calculator on the Baylor College of Medicine website at www.bcm.edu/cnrc/caloriesneed.htm