How to Lose the Last 20 Pounds

“Even exercise fanatics have a tough time losing those last 20 pounds,” says Bob Greene, longtime personal trainer to Oprah Winfrey.

You already know that it’s absolutely critical to burn more calories than you consume.  But that’s not all. In addition to exercise, eating patterns also affect weight loss. You have to make peace with “feeling” the hunger. You know — that little gnawing feeling you get in your stomach late at night? That feeling actually means that your body is getting ready to “eat the fat.” When you give in to that craving you are effectively “eating your results.”

“If you go into a calorie deficit, you’re going to be a little bit hungry,” says Greene. “People need to learn how to accept that—and be okay with that slight discomfort.” How to ignore a growling stomach? Step away from the refrigerator—and find something else to occupy your mind that still makes you feel good.

Here are a few things I do when those hunger pangs hit:

• Read a book or magazine
• Journal
• Take a bath
• Work on a home project
• Go for a walk
• Sketch or color (I’ve recently discovered pastels, which are like crayons for grown ups).
• Call a friend or family member
• Drink water
• Eat the largest apple you can find
• And when all else fails—take a nap.