How to Lose Ten Pounds

With the holidays gone, many people are turning their thoughts towards swimsuit season. Unfortunately, their thighs are still clinging to the pumpkin pie they ate at Thanksgiving. Whether you are trying to get rid of an indulgent holiday season or trying to lose those last ten pounds, here are some tricks that can help you.

First, you must exercise. The best exercise that will help you the most will combine cardio and weights. The cardio will help you burn calories, and the weight lifting will give you better muscle tone and increase your metabolism. Not only that, but it is a healthy practice that you should maintain throughout your life. Make sure you speak with your doctor to find out which exercises are safe for you. If the doctor says that everything looks fine with your health, and you want maximum results in a shorter amount of time, try an activity that involves your entire body and is low impact. Ellipticals are a good machine to use, because they burn quite a few calories in a short amount of time. Plus, they are very gentle on your joints. And no matter what type of exercise you choose, make sure to vary your routine. That will keep you interested in continuing to exercise.

Second, you should diet. Unfortunately, when people think of the word diet, they think of a short term change in food. Instead, you should make a change that is permanent. Do not exclude foods you love, and do not include foods you won't eat. Salads may be good for you, but if you will not eat them, they are not doing you any good. Likewise, ice cream may not be the best food you can eat, but you will resent it if you cannot eat it. One of the best things you can do is use tracking software that lets you keep track of what you eat. This makes you mindful of what you are putting in your mouth, and how much you are actually eating.

Third, set realistic goals. You will not be able to lose ten pounds and keep them off if you only have a week to lose it. That will just make you feel faint. But if you set a realistic goal, you may surprise yourself. Set a very low goal, and consider the rest of it a special surprise. For example, decide that you want to lose one pound a month. Do not put it off, but try to lose that pound early in the month. Then once it is off, you must keep it off, so you must continue to exercise and eat right. You might just find that you've lost seven pounds instead of one. These should not count towards the next month. In the next month, you should start all over again with losing one pound. With only ten pounds to lose, your goals may be different, but set the bar low.

Finally, find out what works for you. Many experts tell you to only weigh once a week or once a month. But some people function better when they are able to see the results daily. It helps them control themselves on days when they are showing an increase. Or the reverse may be true. You may be too upset by the slightest of weight gains that they give up entirely. This is just one example. The fact is, there are many differing opinions on how to lose weight. You must find a method that works for you.

Even though these tips work for people at almost any stage of weight loss, they are most vital for those who have only ten pounds left to go. For that final stage, it is easy to lose focus and begin to gain again. By making permanent changes in your life, you can lose those last ten pounds and keep it off.