According to set point theory your weight range is predetermined. Any weight fluctuations whether they be up or down are not permanent and your body will continously make adjustments to your metabolism to defend it's set point. This theory has merit when caloric balance remains stable but when inactivity and overeating take place the set point theory goes out the window. In other words set point determines whether you will be rail thin or more on the curvy side but it is not an excuse or explanation for being overweight or the inability to lose the last 5-10 pounds of unwanted flab. Overeating and lack of or insufficient exercise are responsible for your weight. Once you make an effort to maintain a healthy weight your metabolism adjusts to your new weight and remains un-phased unless further changes in activity and calorie intake are made.

"People nevertheless embrace the theory to blame their bodies, rather than their own behavior, for their weight-loss failure", says Roland Weinsier, M.D., Dr. PH., chair of the department of nutrition sciences at the School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. A study by Dr. Lesley Campbell of St. Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst, Australia found that higher levels of activity in women with overweight or obese twin sisters, resulted in nearly 9 pounds lower total body-fat which means that exercise has a huge impact on weight even for those people who are genetically predisposed to higher levels of body fat.

In a similar research study funded by the National Institute of Health the weight of 34 pairs of identical twins, one a runner and the other more sedentary, were virtually unrelated regardless of height similarities. Exercise and not genetics was the determining factor of each twin's weight. So genetics are responsible for heat production, muscle mass, blood sugar, insulin, hunger control, mood and fat cell enzymes but these factors can be modified and controlled with exercise and proper eating. Below are five easy ways to do that.

Five Ways To Lose 5-10 Pounds of Stubborn Fat:

• 1. Focus on what you should be eating to boost metabolism.
• 2. Incorporate short and balanced daily workouts to burn more fat and boost metabolism daily.
• 3. Eat moderate amounts of all healthy foods to maximize nutrients and vitamins that promote fat burning.
• 4. Control stress to control the fat storage response and prevent stress binges.
• 5. Think like and act like a lean person to encourage better choices and promote goal oriented planning.

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