When beginning the weight management journey, the first thing on your mind may be: “I can’t wait to lose weight as soon as possible and begin living a new lifestyle.” The focus becomes solely on weight-loss and what’s attainable in the near future. But what about weight maintenance and the long-term?
Weight Maintenance is an Equal Part of the Weight Management Journey
Just as with weight-loss, weight maintenance is a crucial part of your journey as well. It takes a great deal of effort, commitment and lifestyle change to keep weight off for the long-haul.
When beginning your fitness journey, it’s important to look to the future beyond your weight-loss ambitions. Are your goals SMART? In other words, are they specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely? SMART goals are key to maintaining your progress, and they make the difference between short and long-term success.
Maybe you haven’t thought about a future beyond weight-loss. For most of us, this is common. We’re so focused on the broader goals we want to achieve and how quickly we can achieve them. We pay attention to the immediate work we have to put in, but not the work that needs to be done in the months or years beyond that.
Strategies for Weight Maintenance Success
So how can you ensure that the weight you lose is kept off? What can you do to set yourself up for long-term success? While life will always get in the way at some points, there are a number of things you can do with weight maintenance in mind:
- Find exercises you truly enjoy
- Educate yourself on proper nutrition
- Set SMART goals for your weight
- Keep a progress journal and reflect on it
- Weigh yourself regularly
- Be prepared for setbacks
- Stay hydrated
- Set a routine sleeping schedule
- Manage your stress
- Stay accountable with an ongoing support system
Remember: the weight management journey is something you embark on for the rest of your life. It doesn’t end with weight-loss; it continues for as long as you are committed to sustaining a healthy weight for a healthier life!
