You've reached your goal weight...Now, how do you maintain without gaining it back?

It's been months, years, or weeks, if you're one of the more fortunate ones...you've finally reached your goal weightloss. First, let me congradulate you. Job well done!
Now, the next decision is what to do to keep that weight from sneaking back up on you, after all that hard work.


Here are some tips that may be helpful in keeping that weight from coming back:

- Keep a check on your daily eating habits. If you want to keep a healthy weight, you have to fight those old habits, that caused you to gain in the first place and caused your weight to swing back and forth. This is the road to h-e-a-r-t-a-t-t-a-c-k. Avoid overeating and binge eating. To help you with this, don't place what you just cooked on the table, place a reasonable serving on your plate and put the excess in the fridge, so you won't be tempted to go back for seconds. Also, try eating at a slower pace, laying your fork down after every bite. Eating slower helps your brain detect when your stomach is full. It's OK to have a "cheat day" but make it only ONE day per week. Avoid excessive alcohol and smoking as well. These are both harmful to your body and can also be a big factor in your weight maintenance.


- Be consistent. If you have been on a diet, you already know how hard it was to reach that goal. You probably know the calories and fat percentages in a weeks worth of groceries by now. It's going to take a certain amount of willpower to stick with it, but remember, "It's easier to put on than to take off".
Don't stray too far when you are tempted.



- Being healthy is a lifestyle change and a lifestyle choice. We don't just decide to drop 20lbs and then go back to what we were doing before. Adopt a healthy lifestyle and refuse to let it go. Maintaining a healthy weight means making healthy lifestyle choices daily,  as well. Stick with your regular exercise regimen and make up your mind that you will choose to go with healthier food choices from now on.


- Make conscious decisions each day when it comes to making healthy food choices. If you are going for a meal out, plan ahead and be creative with your food choices. Share a large plate with your friend or spouse. Drink water instead of sweetened tea or soda. This will save you money, plus you can still eat the foods you love. Most restaurants have a "healthy choice" selection on the menu.


- Don't skip meals, especially breakfast. Go to bad earlier so it won't be so hard to roll out in the morning. You'll have time to eat, exercise and pack a healthy lunch for work. Maintaining a healthy weight will still require that "eye of the tiger" discipline you had during your weightloss journey. You're a warrior now, don't ever forget it!



- Always drink plenty of water. The average person needs about 1 gallon per day. Drink a glass of water 15 minutes before each meal. This will not only help you hydrate your body and keep your body from retaining too much water weight, but it also helps give you a "fuller" feeling to help you keep from overeating.



- If you can't find time for exercise...MAKE time for exercise. In this busy world, it's too easy to make excuses. If you have to skip a day because of work, or an unforseen cirmcumstance, make up for it the next day. Just don't quit. As our bodies age, the more sedentary our lifestyles become and the harder it will be to decide to keep on working out. Don't let that negative voice inside your head win. You can  fight this off by determining each day that you're gonna move that body. Get that heart rate up and exercise!



Maintaining a healthy weight, after you have worked so hard to lose it, just makes sense! I've seen too many people work so very hard to get into shape and and blow it all in a few months time. Be determined NOT to be one of those people.