To lose weight and keep it off, experts recommend gradual weight loss using eating pattern changes and behavioral changes you can maintain over time.
There are a lot of choices when it comes to diet plans, supplements, medications, and fads, but what is the best way to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way?
This article discusses the types of diet or weight loss plans that help you keep the weight off, maintaining a moderate weight long term.
There is
Maintaining weight loss and your resulting moderate weight is not typically due to following a specific diet or program. Changes to your eating pattern, lifestyle, and physical activity patterns usually lead to weight loss and weight management.
Although there are programs and medications that can help you lose a substantial amount of weight in a short period of time, keeping it off can be more difficult. Long-term weight loss is usually a gradual process that does not involve using
Research published in 2018 notes that
In a review of 29 studies that looked at the sustainability of long-term weight loss, researchers found about
People who are able to maintain their weight loss usually drop weight gradually, losing an average of
It’s typically not safe or recommended that you lose too much weight, short of having bariatric surgery. Weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, requires extensive counseling and careful monitoring, both of which healthcare professionals conduct.
While it may be possible to lose as much as 20 pounds in just 1 month following a fad diet, this type of extreme weight loss is not considered safe or sustainable. It’s always important that you discuss any weight loss goals and plans with a healthcare professional.
The key to maintaining weight loss is finding a plan that fits your lifestyle, is realistic, and is practical to maintain long term.
Diets that heavily
Long-term success with weight loss maintenance also depends on factors like:
- your personal and family health history and genetics
- stress and emotional factors
- behaviors involved with food intake
- activity habits like exercising
- environmental pressures and food availability
socioeconomic issues
Weight loss happens a little differently for everyone, depending on things like genetics, age, and overall health. However, there are a few
- Set a goal and make a commitment: Making the choice to pursue weight loss and committing to the behavioral and lifestyle changes that it requires you to make is a critical first step.
- Review your situation: Figure out where you are on your weight loss journey and take a realistic look at what changes are required. Being honest with yourself about food habits, behaviors, and other factors that have led to your weight gain or that might make weight loss difficult is necessary.
- Set realistic goals and expectations: You may want to lose a lot of weight quickly, but this is not a sustainable or realistic weight loss goal. Setting realistic behavioral-change goals that support your weight loss goals and encourage you to maintain them is important. Knowing that occasional setbacks, such as not meeting a goal, can be a part of your weight loss journey is important. Accepting this can help you plan for these potential setbacks and find encouragement to not give up if and when they happen.
- Identify resources and get support: Whether it’s a private company or counselor, friends, a support group, community organizations, or a healthcare team, it’s helpful to find weight loss guidance and information. Having someone to help keep you accountable, offer support when you need it, and motivate you can be powerful.
- Monitor your progress and be open and ready to make changes: The steps you take to lose weight might not stay the same throughout your journey. As you work on your weight loss goal, you can determine what works and what does not. Set aside time to reflect on what you are doing and how well it’s working. Then you can make any necessary changes.
You may consider working with a primary healthcare professional and a registered dietitian to make sure that any of your weight loss efforts also include adequate and balanced nutrition.
There are no magical foods that help you lose weight or keep it off.
Your body processes different types of foods differently. It’s important to know that there are a few groups that can support or negatively affect weight loss.
Protein-rich foods do have a
In contrast,
Eating too many higher calorie and refined carbs, such as baked goods, cereal, and white flour breads, typically does not provide much nutritional value and can sidetrack your weight loss efforts.
However, certain carbs — such as whole grains that are high in fiber — are an
Any activity is good for you, especially when you’re just starting out. Your body automatically burns calories through daily living activities such as breathing. However, additional activities can help balance the effects of any extra energy you take in like foods.
How much and what type of physical activity, such as exercise, you need to do varies from person to person. It’s helpful to find physical activities that meet your needs, align with your performance ability, and inspire you to engage in them regularly.
For weight maintenance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends about
Public health physical activity
The exact type and amount of physical activity you will need to lose weight and maintain that weight loss will depend on the type of physical activity you are doing, how often you’re doing it, and how much excess energy (calories) you are trying to burn.
Losing weight and keeping it off is a long-term process. There may be ways to drop a lot of weight quickly, but most people who go this route end up regaining the weight they lost. Also, rapid weight loss may result in negative health effects.
To lose weight safely and maintain the weight loss, experts recommend gradual weight loss using eating pattern and behavioral changes you can maintain long term.
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