Final 8lb loss struggle..

[RunningOnMusic]

I have lost just over a stone since last March. This is through better diet and ramping up the exercise. I run 3-4 x a week min 5k. Plus gym weights 30 mins after a run whether on treadmill or outside. I am running 5k in about 30 mins. I am now stuck at 10st 8lbs. I am 5'6. Much more toned etc but would l like to be 10st or under. Have I hit the plateau? Is this my ideal weight? If I cut down on any more calories I feel tired and weak. I am on a sensible Mediterranean type diet. Low sugar. Any tips to shed the final 8lbs? I can't run much as my hip can't cope. Any tips to get rid of the final weight without keeling over please?!

Sorry should have said i am 43. Have 2 dc and work full time so time is tight but determined to do it. Help!

I think you can lose the final 8lb- similar height to you and managed to get down from 11 stone after my final pregnancy to 10st, then finally lost the final 5/6lb to be just over 9 and a half stone, but it was quite a battle. I have kept it off for nearly a year though.
I had to be really strict, and stuck to eating the same things for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, cut out alcohol and reduced chocolate to one or two squares of dark choc.
Did loads of exercise- running 3x w week and HIIT classes 2x a week.
One thing I found was that having an occasional day of eating lots of bread, pasta etc (say every 2 weeks) and then doing lots of exercise and getting back on track with eating the next day seemed to actually boost my weight loss.
I ate mostly lowish carb diet but without cutting out any fruit and also having a small amount of carbs with main meal. It felt quite sustainable and I have relaxed a bit now but just up the exercise to maintain weight and cut back if I eat too much one day.
What are you eating on average now?

My average food intake is:

Breakfast:
1 x slice granary w/ avo or low fat yog/banana or 1 or 2 eggs w/ tomato/avo
Lunch:
Salad w/chicken or tuna or similar occasionally cheese
Dinner: brown rice or sweet potato, fish or chicken, occasionally red meat w/ loads of veg
I have about 2x builders teas a day, plus herbal and water. With Christmas, new year and bday - booze intake went up a bit more and chocolate too. I will cut back on that again. I have cut out processed food as much as poss. Eating any less than this makes me feel really weak especially with the exercise which I am doing 4 days out of 7. Maybe I could ramp it up to 5 or 6 but my hips can't cope with more running... looks like being more strict might be the answer... eek!

Have you tried increasing the weights you are doing in all senses (so adding another session in the week and increasing the weight you are lifting and reps)?

Building more muscle usually increases your metabolism.

More protein, more fat, more veg, no bread, pasta, rice or alcohol. No sugar.

If I were you I'd make a huge pot of lentil and veg soup and snack on that when you are hungry. And boiled eggs as snacks too.