Strategies to Prevent Weight Re-Gain

One of the most frustrating aspects of weight loss is the threat of weight re-gain. If you’ve tried losing weight in the past, you may be familiar with this experience. Often called yo-yo dieting, many weight loss programs provide short-term success, only to result in the return of excess weight as you return to old habits.

Maintaining Weight Loss Long-term

Weight loss surgery doesn’t always follow this story arch. For the first year or even two years following weight loss surgery you may still be losing weight as you gradually reach your optimal level of health and wellness.

Once you reach your goal, it is up to you to maintain your accomplishment by sticking with the healthy habits you adopted as you were losing weight.

Even after weight loss surgery it is important to be aware of the threat of weight re-gain. By focusing on your health and doing your best to refrain from returning to old habits, you can maintain your healthy weight for years to come.

How to Prevent Weight Re-gain

To lose weight you had to burn off more calories than you consumed daily. To maintain your weight loss you’ll have to make sure your calories in and calories out are even. As long as you are maintaining healthy habits, this won’t be too hard for you to do.

Here are a few strategies that may help you with long-term weight management:

• Stay active: Keep exercise a normal part of your life. In addition to helping you maintain weight loss, regular exercise promotes optimal heart health, bone strength and a positive mood.
• Eat healthy: Focus on eating whole foods like meats, whole grains and produce. Also, continue paying attention to portion sizes and make an effort not to over eat.
• Stay positive: A good attitude can play a big role in helping you maintain your weight loss. Keep a smile on your face and don’t think about what you “can’t” have; think about the health benefits you are gaining.

Even after you reach your weight loss goal, stay an active part of the healthy community at your weight loss center. Attending support groups, not missing follow-up appointments with your bariatric surgeon and monitoring your weight regularly can help you maintain a healthy weight level.