Your Lost Weight
Who hasn’t had this experience? As my mom once told me, “While I was gone, I dropped 10 pounds, but since I got back they’ve climbed back on.” This is a bigger risk if you lose weight abruptly, using a program you find unpleasant. Anyone might want to get out of the house if you’re sanding the floors down (ugh), but once the house is back to being a nice place to be, they’ll drift back in.
What are some things that make your body a place that your fat doesn’t want to come back to?
— Mindful eating, with total calories in balance with your activity
— Plenty of protein to keep your muscles and other tissues in good repair, and fiber to take care of your GI tract — satiating foods that make it easier to eat only what you need
— Regular activity, which doesn’t have to be killing it in the gym — daily, low- to moderate-intensity activity (like brisk walks and strength exercise that you can do at home) keeps the body operating more smoothly
— Enough sleep! Getting enough sleep keeps the body operating more smoothly and, frankly, leaves fewer hours of the day available for empty-calorie temptations
— Simpler, whole foods — and minimal processed foods. This doesn’t mean no more Oreos, ever, just that most of your calories (around 80% to 90%) are good stuff.
Eating thoughtfully and getting some activity into your daily life can be big lifestyle changes. Adding healthy habits gradually is a slower way to fat loss, but it has the advantage of helping you practice the hardest part: the habits and skills that help make sure those extra pounds can’t find their way back.