Did you know that your brain is wired to regain lost weight? This is because when you lose weight, your metabolism slows down, which causes you to burn fewer calories.
A 2015 study also found that the areas of the brain involved in the ability to resist eating are less active. With a slowed metabolism and insatiable appetite, packing on pounds is almost effortless.
It seems like the odds are stacked against you if you want to maintain your weight loss. However, you can overcome this challenge. Are you wondering how to keep weight off after you’ve lost it? In this guide, we show you how.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is an underrated factor in weight loss. Studies show that poor sleep quality is linked to weight gain.
Why is this? When you’re sleep-deprived, the part of your brain that craves unhealthy foods is activated.
Not only this, but lack of sleep increases the hormone responsible for regulating hunger. So, the less you sleep, the more you eat.
Stave off these adverse effects of sleep deprivation by getting the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep a night.
Exercise Often
Regular exercise is an essential part of keeping the weight off. It not only else you burn a few extra calories, but it increases your metabolism as well. Both of these things keep you in an energy balance.
Energy balance means that you burn the same amount of calories as you consume. This allows you to stay the same weight.
Studies show that those who did 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day after losing weight were able to maintain their weight loss.
Eat Breakfast Every Day
It’s not called the most important meal of the day for nothing. Reports show that people who eat breakfast are more successful at maintaining weight loss than those who didn’t.
Also, those who ate breakfast every day tend to have healthier habits overall — which is essential for keeping weight off. Though, it’s worth mentioning that skipping breakfast doesn’t automatically result in weight gain.
Lift Weights
The more muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn throughout the day. Studies show that lifting weights at least twice a week helps keep weight off by preserving muscle mass.
You’re probably thinking: won’t lifting weights make me look bulky? Nope. Building lean muscles doesn’t make you bigger. Women don’t typically produce enough testosterone to build large muscles.
Try Hormone Replacement Therapy
As we get older, it may become more and more challenging to keep the weight off no matter what you do. If this is the case, consider trying hormone replacement.
Hormone replacement therapy helps to balance estrogen and progesterone in women. An imbalance of these hormones has been linked to fatigue and weight gain.
In various studies, women who underwent hormone replacement therapy saw a decrease in body fat. They also noticed an increase in energy levels and sex drive.
Let Us Show You How to Keep Weight Off
Losing weight is hard but keep it off is even more challenging. Hopefully, this guide on how to keep weight off makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
You don’t have to struggle with your weight alone. The wellness professionals at MD Wellness and Aesthetics are committed to helping you find a solution that works.
Ready to improve your appearance and overall well-being? Contact us to book an appointment today!