Ways to lose weight and keep it from making an unwanted return

Let's be honest, losing weight is no easy task. In fact, while you might be able to lose weight effectively, what's even more daunting is maintaining your weight after shedding excess kilos. The problem also lies with the fact that we're more often than not surrounded by food. “We can’t go two minutes without being assaulted by a food cue,” said Suzanne Phelan, lead author of an encouraging new study in the journal Obesity. And that's true, isn't it? No matter where you go you see food.


And if you're constantly tempted with food then there's a very high chance that you're going to give in to your cravings. Once that happens there really isn't any turning back because going back into the whole process of dieting and exercise can prove to be very difficult. “Weight loss itself is a very rewarding process. People notice and offer encouragement. But that all goes away with maintenance,” says Dr Phelan.


However, she quickly added, “Maintaining weight loss can get easier over time. Over time, less intentional effort, though not no effort, is needed to be successful. After about two years, healthy eating habits become part of the routine. Healthy choices become more automatic the longer people continue to make them. They feel weird when they don’t.”


Dr Phelan said, “Successful maintainers know there will be lapses. But they also know they can recover from lapses and how to get back on track. They accept slips and don’t engage in black-and-white thinking like ‘I was bad,’ an attitude that is self-defeating. Rather, they know there will be ups and downs, and they have a plan for coping with lapses that’s empowering.”


Another expert added to this and said, “What’s on your mind is as important as what’s on your plate. Weight management is something you do for yourself because you’re valuable, you’re worth taking care of.” "People must abandon the notion that they can’t like themselves until they lose weight,” he said. “Rather, they have to start with a sense of self-worth and compassion. Weight management is a positive process, not a punitive one. Beating yourself up is not helpful, it’s de-motivating.”


So, not only should you have a very clear mindset about what you should and can eat but you must also be vocal to others about not triggering unhealthy food habits. This way, maintaining your weight can become a lot easier.