You have worked so hard to lose weight. Now learning how to protect your achievement is the next step.  Unfortunately, many people who lose weight end up gaining it back. Learn more below about why this can happen.

Why is weight regain so common?

They have the wrong mindset. Those who believe a short duration of changes or a quick-fix can sustain a weight loss have it all wrong. Changes made along the way to lose weight have to remain for weight maintenance. 

Triggers for inactivity and unhealthy diet are ignored. You must learn why you gained weight in the first place and learn successful ways for avoiding those triggers as you focus on the next phase of your weight loss journey.

They focus on willpower alone. Willpower alone will ebb and flow, however practiced lifestyle changes will stick and help to prevent weight regain.

They abandon support.  Often times when weight loss support fades, accountability can also diminish leading to relaxed habits like recording food intake and physical activity.

Don’t get discouraged! These 3 strategies might be just what you need to maintain your hard work and keep the weight off long term.

1. Exercise most days of the week. In fact, several studies support that people who do at least 200 minutes of moderate physical activity a week (30 minutes a day) after losing weight are more likely to maintain their weight. Don’t forget to combine your exercise with a healthy diet for the best proven results.
2. Eat more protein. Consuming 30% of your calories from protein is a great goal to regulate appetite for losing and maintaining weight.  Protein also requires more energy to breakdown, which in turn burns more calories compared to those from fats and carbohydrates.
3. Monitor your weight. Weighing in daily or a few times a week is a great tool for maintaining a weight loss. Research supports that those who weigh themselves may also eat fewer calories throughout the day, which is helpful for maintaining weight loss.

Controlling your weight involves much more than what you eat. Exercise, sleep and mental health also play a role. For more information on weight loss programs in Lincoln, NE and Omaha, NE visit WeightLossNebraska.com.