KEEPING IT OFF
Okay, so you’ve overcome the first hurdle and lost weight, but now the real challenge begins. The question is how do you keep the weight off?
THE 90%
Researchers found that 90% of those individuals that lose weight regain the weight plus additional weight within one year. I know you want to know how to maintain the weight you have worked so hard at losing.
THE QUESTIONS
There are several questions you need to answer and do so truthfully. Studies have shown that your ability to prevent relapse depends on your response to everyday life situations. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, your chances of regaining the weight you have lost dramatically increases.
- Do you find yourself eating because of emotional (happy, sad, depressed etc.) and/or environmental reasons (other than hunger) because of
the time of day, around food? - Do you wish your problems would go away instead of dealing with them?
- Do you keep your feelings to your self?
- Were you motivated to lose weight for external reasons? (Spouse, friend, role model etc.)
If you answered yes to any of these questions, researchers have found that you may be at greater risk for regaining the weight you have lost.
Losing and maintaining weight requires lifestyle changes and these changes must be realistic and must be changes that fit into your every day routine.
DEALING WITH CUES FOR EATING
There are ways of dealing with emotional and environmental cues for eating.
- Think before you eat, are you eating because you are hungry or for other reasons.
- Confront problems that may occur rather than avoiding them, which can lead to relapse.
- Share your feelings with someone you trust and develop a support system to help you when needed.
- Motivation is essential in weight maintenance, but to stay motivated, requires motivation from within one self not from external sources.
Along with appropriate coping skills, healthy food choices and exercise also play an essential role in “Keeping it off.”
