People who have lost a lot of weight have two and a half times more difficulty keeping it off than people who have never been overweight. This is due to a number of factors:
1. Change in metabolism:
- When you lose weight, your body burns fewer calories at rest. This is because your body adapts to lower calories.
- This effect can lead to a 10% reduction in calorie burning, making it more difficult to maintain weight.
2. Hormonal changes:
- Weight loss can lead to changes in hormones that affect your appetite and feeling of hunger.
- These changes can make it more difficult to control your appetite and overeat.
3. Psychological factors:
- Losing weight can be a long and difficult journey.
- After reaching your goal weight, you may be less motivated to eat healthy and exercise.
- This can lead to a return to old eating habits and weight gain.
Tips to maintain your weight:
- Follow a healthy diet: Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit your intake of processed foods, sugar and fat.
- Keep moving: Try to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.
- Pay attention to your eating habits: Pay attention to what you eat, why you eat it, and how you feel while eating.
- Seek support: Talk to friends, family or a professional about weight loss and your concerns about keeping it off.
