Sometimes we put on unwanted extra weight; we work hard to shed these extra pounds. Many times, we succeed in achieving a healthy weight.
But, with our ever-busy and demanding lifestyle maintaining this healthy weight becomes a challenge. People who lose weight fast are more vulnerable to putting on some extra pounds back at a faster pace. Therefore, it is advised to gradually reduce weight and, more importantly, adopt sustainable measures to maintain a healthy weight, as an unhealthy weight can invite many health complications.
Here is a list of eight habits to maintain a healthy weight.
1. Be Active throughout the day.
It is important to exercise daily to stay fit, but what is crucial is how active you are throughout the day. A sedentary or not-so-active lifestyle can slow down your metabolism, making it tough to maintain a healthy weight. Stay active throughout the day, especially when your work involves long sitting hours. Staying physically active on regular basis is vital for maintaining weight loss.
2. Sustainable dietary changes
While we try to lose weight, we tend to adopt crazy crash diets that make us starve and lead to deficiency for extended periods. Instead, try to focus on eating small portions of healthy home-cooked food. Your diet must have easily available options that can be cooked without any hassle. You must include foods high in nutrients and low in calories and avoid consuming processed foods and sugary drinks. Whole grains, nuts, lean protein, vegetables, and fruits are effective food options that help in managing a healthy weight.
3. Set realistic goals
One of the most important things to remember when maintaining a healthy weight is to set realistic goals that are achievable and sustainable for a longer time. This will help you to stay motivated and focused in maintaining your weight. You must consult a nutritionist who can help you with a sustainable diet that can help in maintaining a healthy weight.
4. Track your progress closely
Tracking your progress is essential for maintaining a healthy weight. Keep a food journal to follow your daily food intake and exercise routines. This will help you to monitor your calorie intake. It will also help you stay accountable and adjust when required. You can also track your weight and body measurements to monitor your progress. This will give you a sense of achievement and motivate you to follow your health routine and keep up with your commitment.
5. Having a positive mindset
Maintaining weight loss requires a positive mindset at all days. Celebrate small successes, and don’t get disturbed by setbacks. Having minor setbacks is normal, but don’t let them affect you mentally. Remember that maintaining a healthy weight is a continuous journey, and it may take time to achieve your goals. Stay motivated and keep moving forward.
6. Be Prepared for Setbacks
Setbacks are inevitable on your weight maintenance journey. Sometimes, you may give in to an unhealthy craving or skip a workout.
However, the occasional slip-up does not mean you should lose your focus. Simply move on and follow your regime with better choices. It can also help to plan for situations that you know will make healthy eating challenging, such as an upcoming vacation or holiday. Plan your meal!
7. Keep yourself well hydrated
Drinking water is helpful for weight maintenance. It promotes fullness and may help you keep your calorie intake in check if you drink a glass or two before meals. Additionally, when you are hydrated well, it helps your body to burn calories in an efficient and faster manner. It also helps your metabolism to work effectively, helping your body to prevent storing fats.
8. Control Stress Levels
Managing stress is an important part of controlling your weight. In fact, high-stress levels can contribute to weight gain by increasing cortisol levels, a hormone released in response to stress.
Consistently elevated cortisol is linked to higher amounts of belly fat and increased appetite and food intake. Stress is also a common trigger for impulsive eating. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to combat stress, like exercise, yoga, and meditation.
The Bottom Line
Consistency is key to keeping control over your weight. You can make plenty of simple changes that are easy to stick with and helpful in maintaining a healthy weight over the long term. Through your journey, you will realize that controlling your weight involves much more than what you eat; exercise, sleep, and mental health also play a role. It is possible for weight maintenance to be effortless if you adopt a new lifestyle and stick to it rather than going on and off weight loss diets.
