Did you ever lose weight, feel great, and gradually regain it? If so, you’re not alone.
Losing weight is hard, but keeping the weight off is even harder. Most people who lose weight regain it within a year or two. To be honest, I did it myself a few times before I finally realized what it really takes to lose weight and keep it off for good.
Weight is only one of many indicators of someone’s health. Nonetheless, many people who want to improve their health want to lose weight. There are numerous advantages of losing a few pounds healthily, including improved blood sugar and blood pressure control and a lower risk of chronic diseases.
Since every additional pound made my chronic illness (psoriasis) worse, I spent many years trying to figure out how to stop gaining weight.
After extensive research into weight loss techniques, I’ve finally discovered some that are effective.
Related: 9 Simple Mistakes Made When Trying to Lose Weight
If you’re tired of the yo-yo dieting cycle and are ready to make lasting changes, this article is for you. Keep reading to learn 10 smart habits that will help you lose weight and keep it off for good.
1. Set realistic goals
When it comes to weight loss, setting realistic goals is important. If your goal is too lofty, it may not be achievable, leading to disappointment and giving up. Instead, aim to lose a few pounds each week or month. Remember that even a small amount of weight loss can have health benefits.
Losing weight and keeping it off long-term can seem daunting, but it is definitely achievable with the right mindset. The most important thing is to set realistic goals for yourself- both in terms of how much weight you want to lose and how long you are willing to commit to the process.
Crash diets and fad exercise regimes might give you quick results, but they are not sustainable in the long run. Instead, focus on making small lifestyle changes you can stick to for the long haul. This might mean cutting out processed foods or adding a daily walk to your routine. The key is to take things slow and steady– if you can do this, you will be well on your way to reaching your dream weight!
2. Make healthy changes
Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight knows that it takes more than just dieting; it also requires making healthy lifestyle changes. Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly is essential for helping lead to weight loss, but to maintain that weight loss long term, it is important to make those changes part of your everyday routine.
That means making time for exercise, even when you’re tired or busy, and choosing healthy snacks and meals when you’re tempted to indulge. It can be challenging to make these kinds of changes, but they are essential for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
3. Find a form of exercise that you enjoy and will stick with.
Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight knows that it is only half the battle. The real challenge is maintaining weight loss over time.
This is where physical activity comes into play. While it may appear to be a difficult task at first, incorporating some form of fitness routine into your daily schedule is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your health. It will not only help you lose weight but also increase your metabolism and muscle mass. Weight maintenance can also be accomplished through strength training or biking.
Choose an enjoyable activity and schedule at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. If that works better for you, you can also break up your exercise into smaller increments throughout the day.
You’ll be happy you did!
Related: 7 Reasons Why I Love Pilates As Much As I Do
4. Eat healthy foods that make you feel good, both physically and emotionally
Eating healthy foods throughout the week helps you feel physically and emotionally good. You’ll stay fit and have more energy to do what you enjoy.
You will also be in a better mood and look better! Eating healthy foods is essential for losing weight and keeping it off for good. When you consume junk food, your body becomes sluggish, and you are more likely to gain weight.
When you eat healthy foods, however, your body receives the nutrients it requires to function properly, and you are less likely to overeat. A healthy diet is an essential component of any weight loss plan.
Furthermore, eating healthy foods makes you feel better mentally and emotionally. So, to lose weight and keep it off for good, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats throughout the week!
Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, red meat, and alcohol in excess.
5. Avoid triggers
There is no such thing as a magic weight-loss pill. To see results, hard work and dedication are required. There are, however, some things you can do to improve your chances of success.
One of the most important is to stay away from triggers.
Certain foods or activities may set off your overeating habits or cravings for unhealthy foods. Identify your triggers and make every effort to avoid or limit your exposure to them as much as possible.
A milk chocolate bar was my most powerful trigger. I knew if I had one, I’d eat the whole thing. So, instead of buying milk chocolates, I switched to dark chocolate, which made a significant difference.
It’s also critical to recognize your emotional triggers. Feelings of stress, boredom, or loneliness can sometimes lead to emotional eating. Learning how to cope with negative emotions without turning to food is a critical component of successful weight loss.
Avoiding triggers was a crucial habit for me and many other people who have lost weight and kept it off by developing effective coping mechanisms.
6. Track Calories
When it comes to weight loss, tracking calories may help give you the edge you need to drop those extra pounds finally. While it may seem tedious initially, logging what you eat and drink can help you stay on track, especially in the beginning.
By seeing exactly how many calories you’re consuming each day, you can make adjustments as needed to reach your goals. What’s more, keeping a food journal may help you identify unhealthy eating patterns that you can work to change.
I used to think that the number of calories I ate was fine and that I didn’t need to check. But writing down what I ate was a wake-up call. I discovered I was eating more than I thought, which made me realize that making small changes to my diet can help me reach my goals much more quickly. It extremely benefited me and increased my awareness of my eating habits.
So if you’re struggling to lose weight, try calorie counting – it may just be the key to successful weight loss!
7. Avoid fad diets-make small, sustainable changes to your lifestyle instead
Regarding food and diets, we are often bombarded with information and promises of quick and easy weight loss. However, many of these fad diets are unhealthy, restrictive, and unsustainable long-term.
Starting a diet, we feel motivated by, only to crash a week or two later, is disheartening and discouraging.
So what should you do if you’re looking to create lasting, healthy change in your relationship with food?
Instead of jumping from one diet to the next, focus on making small, sustainable changes to your diet and lifestyle. For example, focus on adding more whole foods into your diet, or make a commitment to cook at home more often. Slowly incorporate healthful eating into your routines, such as increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain carbohydrates.
Find something that works for you and that you can keep doing for a long time.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to dieting – so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find something that feels right for you. With a little trial and error, you’ll be on your way to a healthier, happier relationship with food.
Related: How to Make a Healthy Eating Habit in 30 Days for Life
Studies show in the National Library of Medicine: small changes in our diet and lifestyle make it easier to achieve long-term weight loss goals. By making small adjustments to our eating habits, we can make a healthy lifestyle more sustainable and enjoyable in the long run.
Don’t diet – make small changes you can stick to over time.
8. Be mindful of portion sizes
Portion control is an essential part of any weight loss plan, weight maintenance, and keeping it off. When trying to lose weight, you’ll want to ensure you’re not eating too much food in one sitting. What happens when you overeat is explained here.
You can do this by monitoring your food intake and ensuring that you eat breakfast. Breakfast will help to jump-start your day and give you the energy you need to get through the day.
Another way to control your portions is to make sure that you’re getting enough fiber. Fiber helps to fill you up and can prevent you from overeating.
Try also to add anti-inflammatory foods for weight control, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and seeds. These are full of essential vitamins and minerals that can help you to keep your energy levels up while helping to maintain your weight.
So, if you’re looking to lose weight, be sure to control your portions.
9. Don’t forget to get enough sleep for weight maintenance
Most people know that the right diet and exercise are key components of any weight loss plan. However, one often overlooked factor is getting enough sleep.
A lack of sleep can lead to weight gain in several ways. First, it can cause people to make poor food choices. When we’re tired, we’re more likely to reach for unhealthy snacks instead of nutritious ones.
Second, sleep deprivation can lead to increased stress hormone cortisol, which has been linked to weight gain.
Finally, being tired can prevent us from engaging in physical activity, making us less likely to exercise, and escalating the situation. Don’t forget to get enough sleep if you’re trying to lose weight!
So if you’re trying to lose weight, don’t forget to get enough sleep! 7-8 hours per night is a great goal to aim for. You may be surprised at how much it can help maintain your weight in the long term.
10. Manage stress levels for weight loss
Anyone who’s ever been stressed knows that it can lead to some not-so-healthy habits, like emotional eating or bingeing on comfort foods (ice cream).
How many times have you been so stressed out that you ate a lot of empty-calorie foods?
I’m not immune to the stress-eating trap, and I’m sure I’m not alone. Many people turn to food for comfort when they are stressed. While eating unhealthy foods may provide a temporary sense of relief, it can actually make you feel even more stressed in the long run.
Not only does stress increase your cravings for unhealthy foods, but it also decreases your willpower and makes you more likely to indulge in high-calorie snacks.
But there are ways to manage stress levels so that they don’t get the best of us.
One way to reduce stress is to cut back on screen time. Whether it’s mindlessly scrolling through social media or watching TV, too much time staring at a screen can cause our brains to feel overwhelmed.
Instead, take some time for yourself throughout the day to disconnect from technology and do something calming, like reading, journaling, or spending time in nature.
Developing healthy habits like these can go a long way in managing stress levels and keeping us feeling our best. Stress can be a major obstacle to weight loss, and managing it is key.
The key message
Weight loss and keeping it off does not have to be difficult. With the right strategies and approaches, you can make small lifestyle changes that will result in long-term weight loss success. More importantly, remember to manage your stress levels and get enough sleep to stay on track with your weight management plan. So don’t forget to take care of yourself and your body!
Good luck, my friend; best wishes from me to you.
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