Losing weight is one thing, but keeping it off is another.
You probably know multiple people who worked really hard for a year or two and got in excellent shape, only to revert back into their less healthy ways and put the weight back on.
Don’t let this happen to you! Once you’ve met your fitness goals, it’s not time to coast – it’s time to maintain. While staying at your goal weight might not be quite as difficult as shedding pounds had been, it still requires effort.
Here are some ways to help keep that maintenance stress-free.
Don’t Forget Supplements
At one point you may have asked “how much weight can I lose with a weight loss supplement?” but it’s important to know that medications like this can also be used to help keep those pounds away after having lost them.
It’s easy to think that supplements or prescriptions aren’t needed after losing weight, but don’t shy away from using available resources to capitalize on the hard work you’ve done.
Keep Exercising
Don’t be afraid of getting big while lifting weight, because weightlifting is one of the better ways to burn fat. By maintaining a regular exercise routine, you’ll help your body stay in check. If you don’t want to attend a gym (or can’t afford the membership fees), you can get some dumbbells to use at home for little cost.
Taking walks each day is also a great, free way to keep exercising. Regular cardio like walking will help keep your heart healthy.
Continue Tracking Calories
Chances are, you didn’t lose weight without tracking how many calories you burned and how many you consumed.
While your caloric needs will change once it’s time to maintain weight instead of losing it, keeping track of your exercise and diet will be crucial to your success. Most people who put weight back on likely stopped paying attention to their calories. You may be surprised how many more calories your body can take in as you’re maintaining weight, and over time, this will continue to shift a bit.
Check-in with yourself often to see if your caloric needs have changed, and adjust accordingly.
Losing weight often requires a lifestyle change, and keeping weight off is no different. If you remember to remain health-conscious as a lifestyle, you can continue to reap the benefits of all the effort you put into losing weight in the first place.
Utilizing available resources such as supplements and calorie-tracking apps will help take the guesswork out of staying at your ideal weight.
If you’ve had the fortitude to lose weight, you definitely have what it takes to keep it off.