Top 10 Weight Maintenance Tips

1. Create a personal mission statement for yourself; put it in an envelope with a before and one after picture. The purpose of this exercise is to remind yourself of your hard work and to serve as helpful tool to keep you focused on your new healthy lifestyle change. Make at least three copies of the statement and place in three different envelopes. Keep these reminders in easily accessible places like your desk drawer at work, the nightstand by your bed or somewhere in your bathroom if you get discouraged when looking in the mirror.. Believe in yourself and appreciate the moments you find self appreciation for a job well done.
2. Don't deny, simplify! Dieting doesn't mean you have to stop eating the foods you love, just find alternative ways to enjoy them. Once you start to maintain, an applicable part is following a healthy eating plan. You can actually substitute 1/3 less of any regular food in place of using a low fat item. Be adventurous and creative in your meal planning and try some new foods!
3. Plan, Plan, Plan! If you treat every day like a Monday, you will avoid a set back or a slip up. By making it to the finish line, you have to remember the process and dedication it took to get you here. Try making your lunch tomorrow, while cooking dinner tonight. On weekends, spend time planning your menu for the following week,the golden theory is if you fail to plan, you plan to fail so plan to succeed!
4. Exercise is the main ingredient to maintaining. Once you achieve a target weight that you feel comfortable with don't forget the importance of exercise on a daily routine. By following a fitness regimen with variety, you can still develop muscle tone and a firmer body. Each week try to integrate a new workout video or exercise class to use different muscle groups. This will provide you with long lasting energy!
5. Water, water EVERYWHERE! Just because you have reached your goal, doesn't mean you can go back to drinking two cups of coffee for breakfast and three diet cokes to help you stay alert during the day. Continue to drink at least 64 ounces water daily, and even try to increase your current intake by 10 ounces. Bring along a water bottle that you can carry with you to sip in the car, at work, while shopping, during exercising, watching TV, or next to the computer.
6. Got Support? Support is very important. Your doctor, friends, family or an online support group like can be your fog horn during a storm when you encounter the dangers of raiding your kitchen. If you are hestiant to approach an individual, eDiets offers the perfect annonymous alternative 24 hours a day online. There is always someone going through the same things you are and are there to listen. It is important to have someone supporting you in the last half of permanent weight loss. Maintenance is a lot harder to do than losing the weight so make sure you have support around you and don't try to do it alone. Many people try weight maintenance alone and fail. We want you to succeed!
7. Journaling is a great tool to aid in the adventure of avoiding the yo-yo effects of weight loss. Being aware of what your food choices are is a continuing commitment, one which can be achieved when you choose wisely. If you write down what you eat before you eat it, you're taking an extra minute to think about the food choice that you're about to make. You just might change your mind after contemplating its fat and calories, and end up with a guilt free alternative!
8. Getting enough sleep is another component of remaining in tip top shape. Why you ask? Sometimes when you lack sleep, you will be more vulnerable to give into your inner voice. We all have one... the voice that tells us, "Put it off until tomorrow!" Try to sleep at least eight hours a day if possible and exercise even on the days when you feel blah. When the going gets tough, just think about how you will feel when you have completed your journey and keep going.
9. Never stop rewarding yourself for a job well done! Every month that you can maintain your losses, treat yourself to a non-food incentive that will bring you enjoyment and relaxation. Whether it's a manicure, pedicure, facial, or a new power tool, you deserve to be treated like your treat your best friend. Maybe a new book on meditation or some scented candles to brighten up your home could be your gift. Always recognize your self worth with a little something special.
10. Share your success with others. Feel good about the changes that you have made, and don't be shy to tell friends and family members about your success when they ask. Not only could you share your story, but you could give of your time and help encourage others to reach their goals. These are sure ways for you to maintain, and the recognition from others will make you feel great!

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