why cant I lose these last few pounds?!!

[Sarah1970]

I was 11 1/2 stone before christmas, I decided to try and lose weight so I started exercising every day and my calorie intake is around 1500 a day, Im now down to 9st 10 but I cant seem to shift the last few pounds, why is this if Ive been losing a pound a week since I started. It doesnt seem to matter if I up my exercise and down my calories, it still wont budge!

[lindapinda]

Maybe you are now down to what your natural weight should be?..Is your body telling you,that,thats enough without resorting to more unhealthy methods of weight loss?..I'm only guessing? Congrats on how well you've done anyway :-)

[IggyB]

the longer you have had fat the harder it is to lose - so when you first started the most recently deposited fat was being utilised now you have reached the oldest and thus hardest fat to lose... stick with it though it will take a while you will get there. Plus make sure you are not doing the same exercise routine every day as a natural plateau will be reached where the body can exert less energy to perform the same task again and again - instead try something new and you'll find the improvements increasing again (maybe a few sessions with a personal trainer might give you some new ideas and they could do an exercise programme for you)

[alijangra]

I agree with IggyB, change your exercise routine and monitor your heart rate to ensure you are in the 'fat burning' zone. What kind of exercise are you doing?

[Cockney_si]

Muscle is heaver than fat so exercising will rid your body of fatty deposits but probably bulk up your muscles too, why the fuss over losing a few pounds anyway, it sounds a bit obsessive.

[Sarah1970]

Thanks for all your answers, I'm doing some Rosemary Conley exercise dvds which include aerobics, toning and salsacise. I also walk to school and back every day,walk the dog and ride my bike, I also have a stepper and I hula hoop too!
I'm 37 and Ive always been about 9 to 9 1/2 stone and even after having my three children I always got back to my pre-pregnancy weight really easily but over the last year I've gradually put on the extra weight, I just wanted to get back to that weight again. I'm not obsessed about it, I just wanted to reach my goal!