How to Lose Those Last 5 Pounds Forever

This article was written by Jenny Sugar and repurposed with permission from POPSUGAR Fitness.

In the beginning of a weight-loss journey, pounds melt away like ice cream on a hot summer day. But as you get closer to your goal, it's not unusual to hit a plateau. Here's how to keep those pounds dropping and keep the weight off for good.

Beef Up Your Workouts
If you've been steadily working out and following the same schedule, your body has probably grown accustomed to the routine. Rattle your body's chain a little and kick up the intensity of your workouts to further challenge your muscles. Work out longer or harder, increase the size weights you're lifting, do more reps of strength-training moves and vary the order—or try doing two workouts in one day.

Go for Fiber
Since your metabolism is already working pretty efficiently, eat fibrous foods that take longer to digest so your body has to expend more energy to break them down. Fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, and legumes are good options, but focus on these foods with the highest amounts of fiber.

Munch on These Foods
Imbalances in your digestive tract have been linked to weight gain. So to restore the balance of gut bacteria, eat yogurt (or if you don't eat dairy, choose yogurt made from soy milk or coconut milk that contains active cultures). A lack of calcium and vitamin D can also make it harder to lose weight, so be sure to eat dairy products and these calcium-rich fruits and veggies, as well as these foods high in vitamin D. Omega-3s are also vital for a healthy metabolism, so include fish, eggs, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseed in your diet, too.

Get Your Zz's
Not getting adequate sleep (at least six hours) can decrease leptin, the hormone that makes you feel satiated, while increasing ghrelin, the hunger hormone. Research shows that feeling sluggish the following day causes you to eat an average of 549 extra calories without even realizing it. Skimping on sleep also slows down your metabolism, making you burn 20 percent fewer calories a day.

Cut Back on Cocktails
Boozy beverages not only offer your body empty calories, but since your body is working so hard to get rid of toxins, they also inhibit the production of glucose, which is needed for maintaining normal blood sugar levels, and in turn, slows down your metabolism. Not to mention getting a little tipsy also clouds your judgment, so you're more likely to say yes to go for seconds. Go for water or metabolism-boosting green tea instead.

More from POPSUGAR Fitness:
Before and After: How a Yearlong Weight-Loss Journey Helped Hilda Transform
Why Running Isn't Helping You Lose Weight
The Ultimate Guide to Weight Loss: 56 Tips and Tricks to Drop Pounds Now

1. Prev:4 Ways Eating Solo Meals Can Make You Gain Weight
2. Next:Are You a Binge Snacker?