Losing the Last Few Pounds

So you know all the rules about weight loss, calories in and calories out, eat healthfully, and live actively. But for some reason those last few pounds will not come off. This is because we often have an ideal weight that our body does not necessarily agree with. The last few pounds we want to lose can be referred to as vanity pounds, or weight that our bodies would be perfectly happy to keep around as a protection against possible famine or periods of starvation. It seems our bodies have not caught up with the fact that there is fast food around  every corner. 

Luckily, all it takes is a few simple tweaks to the good and healthy habits you've already established in order to fine tune your body and shed those last unwanted pounds!

1. Eat more. When you only have a  few pounds to lose you cannot create a huge calorie deficit, because that will send signals to your body that you are going through a period of famine and it will actually cling on to the weight you have. A calorie deficit of about 500 calories a day (max 700) is about all you need to gradually drop the last few pounds.
2. Interval Train. If you are currently focusing just on cardio or just on strength training during you workouts it may be a good idea to integrate them into circuits where you cycle through all your moves without resting in between. This form of training will help maximize your calorie burn and keep your body guessing.
3. Cut down on meat. Consider cutting meat down to just once or twice a week, particularly fatty meats that could be contributing to weight retention. Focusing on lean meats like turkey, chicken, and fish will help you get your nutrients while still allowing for some small caloric cuts.
4. Keep a food journal. This is essential, especially toward the end of any active weight loss. Diet is key to maintenance and understanding what your body needs. So as you approach your weight loss goal, you'll need to have a strong comprehension of what your body will need in order to maintain that. The food journal also keeps you accountable for what you're eating, making you less likely to graze throughout the day.
5. One extra hour. I've already talked about how important being active throughout the day is, but try incorporating just one extra hour of standing a day. The downside to exercise is it can make you feel a little more lazy than you might normally be, focus on counteracting that by standing instead of sitting. 

Do you have any tips for losing the last few pounds?