Losing weight can be extremely challenging and is an oft-about talked subject with many resources available. However, it can be equally challenging to keep the weight off once you lose it! You worked hard at getting healthier and fitter- but here are the easy ways to keep it off. Here are 10 easy tips to help you maintain your weight loss:
Do not drink your calories.
Calorie bombs lurk in high sugary smoothies, tapioca teas, cocktails, and more. While water is the best thing to drink, you can also find swaps for your favorite drinks online. While it is good to treat yourself once in a while, do not make high calorie drinks a regular part of your diet. That is a sure way to find yourself back at square one.
Do not be afraid to say “No, thank you” to food.
Many times people will try and guilt trip smaller people to eat more because they’re “so thin”. Only accept food if you are actually hungry, not because someone is guilting you into have one more of something.
Download a calorie counting app.
If you feel yourself slipping back into bad habits such as overeating go ahead and download a calorie counting app for your phone. This way you know exactly how much fuel your putting in your body and will have a much easier time maintaining your weight.
Look into intermittent fasting.
Intermittent fasting is when you have an eating “window” that can be between 1 and 8 hours. The great thing is you can count your sleeping hours as part of your fasting hours. This has been proven as a great way to lose weight and keep it off.
Write down your feelings.
Instead of grabbing chips or ice cream when you’re having a bad day, grab a pen and paper and write down how you’re feeling. Connect with your emotions instead of eating them. Everyone has bad days, but your body is a temple, not a food disposal.
Join an online community.
Find an online group to help keep you accountable. There are plenty of people who are in the same boat as you and find it easier to get through hard times and holidays when they have a community to share their struggles and insights with.
Weigh yourself regularly.
This may mean everyday for some, weekly for others or even monthly. Weight constantly fluctuates, however weighing yourself frequently to semi-frequently has been shown to help with weight loss and weight maintenance.
Get enough sleep.
Lack of sleep can have very negative consequences. One of those being making poor eating choices. When you’re tired you don’t want to think about which option is healthiest, only which will satiate your hunger. To keep a healthy weight, make sleep quality sleep a priority.
Forgive yourself for falling off the wagon.
Forgive yourself if you have a bad day, week, or month of eating unhealthy. Life happens and the last thing you need is to gang up on yourself for making poor eating decisions. The best thing you can do is recognize your ways and get right back on the healthy wagon.
Keep your workouts interesting.
If your workout routine has gotten stale, go out and find another activity that gets you up and about. Maybe you usually workout alone, then find a group fitness class and join that. While physical activity doesn’t account for nearly as much as diet for weight loss and weight maintenance, it is crucial in keeping your heart healthy and happy.
