You’ve reached your goal weight – now
what? Ditch yo-yoing for good with our smart tips for going steady
1. Don’t go hungry Eat little and often to
regulate your appetite. Aim for five small meals a day, rather than the
traditional three big meals. This will help to keep your blood sugar balanced
and avoid the energy dips which make you reach for high-calorie snacks or an extra
helping at dinner.
Eat
little and often to regulate your appetite.
2. Add cinnamon to your meals Keep your
metabolism firing with this simple spice. Cinnamon has a thermogenic effect on
the body, increasing your core temperature, and causing your body to use energy
(burning calories) to cool it down. Add it to porridge or soups.
3. Get plenty of sleep There’s nothing like
a bad night’s kip to send your healthy eating off the rails! Just one night’s
sleep loss could lead to increased levels of hunger the next day, according to
research conducted by Uppsala University in Sweden. The study’s authors believe
that this could lead to serious weight gain in the long term, so make sure you
get your shut-eye.
Get
plenty of sleep
4. Set a long-term goal You’ve dropped the
weight and you want it to stay off, so set a goal to keep you going. Book in a
10K race or half-marathon to help you stick to your running commitments or sign
up for a triathlon or swim. Locking in a goal will help you stay active and
hold onto that great figure.
5. Deal with it If you’ve had a bit of a
blow-out, don’t beat yourself up about it – the impact on your weight and
waistline will be minimal in the long run. Instead, do some exercise to limit
the damage and get back to your usual healthy habits the next day.
6. Carry healthy snacks Being caught short
with only a chocolate bar to fend off your hunger pangs can mean you really
fall off the wagon. Got a busy week coming up? Prepare for it: stash some nuts
or a healthy fruit bar in your handbag or your car for those unexpected snack
attacks.
Carry
healthy snacks
7. Enjoy your exercise The best way to
maintain a good fitness regime is to enjoy it! Don’t force yourself to run,
lift or swim if you don’t really like it or it’ll become a chore. Search for an
activity you have fun doing – you’ll be much more likely to keep it up. There’s
a wealth of fitness activities out there, from boxing to ballet and kettlercise
to Kickasana, so find something that holds your interest.
8. Keep a diary Set aside time to schedule
your workouts and plan your meals each week. Once you put it down in ink, those
gym sessions will be much harder to skip. Make it a routine on Sunday evening
to sit down and diarise your exercise sessions and devise your menu.
Set
aside time to schedule your workouts and plan your meals each week.
9. Identify your triggers If you know that
factors such as stress or a social event weaken your resolve, use your
knowledge to limit your exposure and develop healthy coping strategies. Looking
for a pick-me-up? Take a dance class or pick out a new lippie instead of a
chocolate bar.
10. Don’t deprive yourself Cutting out your
fave food cold turkey will make you want it more – it’s not a long-term
solution. Instead, limit treats to once a week as a ‘c heat day’ option.
