5 Things You Need to Know About Weight Maintenance

1. Step It Up Slowly

Once you've reached your weight loss goal, you are able to add extra calories back into your diet. This doesn't mean you can suddenly start eating whatever you want, like cookies and potato chips instead of healthy snacks. Add about 250 calories to what you've currently been eating. Weigh yourself after a week. If you lose weight by adding the calories, you can add another 250 calories. Continue adding calories slowly until you're confident that you are able to maintain your weight.

2. Healthy Choices Still Count

Continue to make healthy choices with your diet. Eat foods that are dense in nutrition like whole grains, lean protein and fruits and vegetables. Eat processed foods and foods high in fat sparingly, and count them as a treat rather than a diet staple. By eating wholesome, nutritious food you are fueling your body to perform at its highest capabilities. You look and feel better when you're eating well-balanced meals, even if you're already at your goal weight.

3. Keep Moving

Stick to your exercise regimen. There are countless reasons to keep exercise in your regular routine, including overall health and general wellness. Regular exercise keeps your heart healthy, reduces stress, helps reduce your overall risk for illness and disease, increases your energy levels and helps ward off depression and anxiety. Now that you've met your goal weight, you can have fun finding new ways to spice up your workouts. Switch your focus to weight lifting instead of cardio to keep your metabolism going strong, burning those extra calories to keep you at a healthy weight.

4. Weigh In for Continued Success

Monitor your weight regularly to keep an eye on your progress. Chances are, if you continue with your exercise routine and continue to eat healthy foods, you will maintain weight. It's possible to start slipping a little though. Extra calories add up over time, and without a goal weight burning into your mind, you might find yourself slacking a little during your workouts. By weighing yourself weekly, you can monitor whether or not what you're doing is still working for you. If you start to see the number creep up consistently over time, you know what to do to get you back to your goal weight.

5. Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Work on your attitude. Changing yourself doesn't happen overnight. You might have reservations about being in a new, healthy body. If you've lived much of your life overweight and unhealthy, it's difficult to suddenly recognize your new identity. Reward your hard work and identify yourself as fit, strong and healthy. Choose to be positive and confident in your newfound abilities, having worked so hard to get to where you are today. Keep your negativity in check, and enjoy your healthy new lifestyle.