In Singapore, many people join weight loss programs because they want to learn how to lose weight fast? But a lot don't realise that the journey doesn't end when we reach our weight goals. The real test lies in ensuring that we can maintain it for the long term.
So how do we maintain the weight we worked hard to get? You can get started by checking out the quick tips we've listed here.
How Can We Keep Our Weight Off? Continue Practising Portion Control
Portioning your meals will always play a major role in maintaining your current weight. It keeps you from overeating, going hungry, and controls your calorie intake.
If you need to keep the hunger at bay in between meals, you can have healthy snacks like fruits and nuts. These treats are nutritious but low in calories.
Watch What You Eat, Not Just How Much
It's important to monitor your portions, but it's just as vital to watch what those portions are made up of. Suppose your meals are made up of processed or overly fatty meat, fast food, or starchy products. There won't be much progress for you if that were the case.
So continue with what you ate when you were trying to lose weight, such as lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Cheat days can be quite the temptation, but take care not to overdo them.
Get Some Exercise In
Anyone who knows how to lose weight fast will tell you to be more physically active even if you don't have any workout routines in your weight loss program. But it's still a good habit to form after you've achieved your desired weight. After all, it helps your body use more calories, burn away fat, and build more muscle.
Regular Sleep is Still a Must
Sleep deprivation leads to food cravings. You'd best get enough sleep at night if you don't want your hard work to be in vain because of unhealthy snacking. Furthermore, it helps ensure that your metabolism functions well in the morning.
If possible, try to sleep for seven to nine hours on a regular basis. If you have trouble doing so, try to stay off your phone or other devices so your mind can relax. You could also do some light exercises in the evening to tire yourself out a little and fall asleep faster.
Keep Your Stress in Check
Like sleep, stress has a significant impact on how well you can maintain weight. It makes us more likely to succumb to emotional eating and unhealthy food cravings. If you're chronically stressed, your hormone levels become imbalanced, which also slows down your metabolism. All of these will make you more susceptible to weight gain.
Find ways to manage your stress, be it meditating for a few minutes a day, doing your favourite hobbies, or even taking well-deserved holidays.
Watch the Weighing Scale Often
You have to weigh yourself occasionally if you want to be sure that you're still doing the right things.
Don't be discouraged if your weight doesn't stay the same all the time. It's natural to have fluctuations -- we're only human after all.
But if you notice that you've gotten heavier, evaluate yourself and see where you've fallen short. Have you been having more cheat days lately? Have you been sleeping less because of work? A bit of self-reflection will help you get back on track before it gets difficult to lose weight again.
Consistency Is Key to Maintaining Your Weight
Knowing how to lose weight fast is not the sole solution to getting in shape. We also need to adopt healthy habits and be committed to them.
If you need more help, consider joining weight management programs. They have professionals who can make sure you stay on the right path. With the right mindset and guidance, you can have long-lasting success with maintaining your weight.