5 TIPS FOR LOSING THOSE LAST 5 POUNDS
Losing weight is no easy task. And for some reason, just when you’re within 5 pounds of your goal weight, the scale stops moving. It doesn’t quite seem fair, does it? As a plastic surgery office, we wanted to share 5 simple tweaks that you can make to your diet and exercise routine to start nudging the scale in the right direction:
- Have More H2O: We can’t stress this tip enough. Staying hydrated boosts metabolism, suppresses hunger, and is essential for overall health. Start your morning with at least 8 ounces of water and focus on having 8 to 16 ounces of water each hour throughout the day. Tired of water? You’ll be happy to hear that seltzer, black coffee, and all varieties of teas count toward your hydration goals (but avoid sodas and sports drinks).
- Get More Sleep: Sleep more to lose weight? Sounds too good to be true, but it isn’t. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night to help enhance weight loss. Studies show that anything less can disrupt the hormones that regulate hunger—making more likely that you reach for sugary food and drinks for quick energy throughout the day. Plus, without adequate rest, you may be too tired for your calorie burning workout.
- Add Iron: If you’ve been focusing on strictly cardio exercise for weight loss, then it’s time to start pumping iron. When you lift weights or strength train, you build muscle mass. Larger muscles burn more calories even while you’re at rest. Just 10 minutes of basic strength training three times a week may be all you need. Focus on exercises that engage large groups of muscles at once like squats, lunges, chest press, and push-ups.
- Incorporate Intervals: Interval training is a form of cardio exercise that includes short bursts of intense exercise with periods of rest. For example, let’s say you usually run on a treadmill for 30 minutes at 5 mph. With interval training, you would run at that pace for 2 minutes. Then, increase the speed of the treadmill to 8 mph for 20 seconds, then return to your original speed for 2 minutes. You can repeat this cycle as many times as you like. This training style can be easily adapted to any type of cardio exercise including rowing, biking, and elliptical. This style of training not only helps you burn more calories during the workout, but it also boosts your metabolism for hours after.
- Conquer Nighttime Cravings: It’s the downfall of many dieters—late night snacking. Cookies, ice cream, and cakes just seem to taste better in front of the TV after a long day. But that can also sabotage your weight loss efforts. Keep healthier snacks on hand to grab when nighttime cravings strike. Try satisfying your sweet tooth with apples dipped in peanut butter, a handful of almonds and raisins, or plain yogurt with a drizzle of honey and fruit.
Bonus Tip: Consider Plastic Surgery
Sometimes, all the diet and exercise in the world just isn’t enough. That’s when plastic surgery can help. Northeastern Plastic Surgery offers a range of procedures that are ideal for those close to their goal weight, including:
- Liposuction: During a liposuction procedure, fat is suctioned out of specific areas of the body like the thighs, abdomen, buttocks, arms, and hips to create a more svelte appearance.
- Arm lift: An arm lift procedure removes and tightens excess skin, tissue, and fat that tends to hang from the back of the arms.
- Abdominoplasty: Also called “tummy tuck,” this procedure helps create a flatter and more toned midsection that may be sagging even after diet and exercise.
Northeastern Plastic Surgery understands your desire for a beautiful, youthful looking body and facial appearance. We use the latest plastic surgery techniques to perform a variety of surgical procedures. Dr. Fodero and the staff are very friendly, helpful, and available to answer any questions you may have. Please contact us today to learn more about the services we offer.
