{"id":6403,"date":"2021-03-04T13:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-04T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifestyle.org\/?p=6403"},"modified":"2023-08-04T10:57:16","modified_gmt":"2023-08-04T17:57:16","slug":"lose-weight-your-way-well-kind-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifestyle.org\/lose-weight-your-way-well-kind-of\/","title":{"rendered":"Lose Weight YOUR Way (Well, Kind Of…)"},"content":{"rendered":"

How many people do you know who are on a diet? And how many of those people always<\/em> seem to be on a diet? (And is that person you? )<\/p>\n

Maybe we should stop dieting because clearly it isn\u2019t effective. And maybe we should stop judging ourselves while we\u2019re at it too. The last thing we need is more stress, guilt, anxiety or shame in our lives.<\/p>\n

Hey \u2013 it\u2019s your life. You have every right to take charge of your health by losing\/maintaining weight in a way that supports your needs and preferences.<\/p>\n

Here are four general guidelines<\/em> to follow when creating your own weight maintenance plan.<\/p>\n

1. Decrease high glycemic food consumption<\/h3>\n

Sweets and simple carbs are so yummy! And the good news is you can still enjoy them just not all the time. Even Dwayne Johnson is famous for his epic cheat days!<\/p>\n

These foods are crammed full with sugar. And they really mess with your blood sugar levels because of how quickly they\u2019re absorbed into the blood stream, which paves the way for insulin resistance, diabetes, and weight gain.<\/p>\n

Must you give them up altogether? No. Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. So enjoy them occasionally in moderation if for no other reason than to keep yourself sane. Depriving yourself of your favorite foods will drive you crazy. Rewarding yourself with your favorite foods strengthens your will power and commitment to eat well most<\/em> of the time.<\/p>\n

Some people can eat just a bite or two of their favorite sweet or salty treat to get their \u201cfix.\u201d But if you know you\u2019re not a one-Oreo-type of person, it\u2019s probably best to avoid this strategy.<\/p>\n

The point is, you don\u2019t have to give up the foods you enjoy (unless you\u2019re under doctor\u2019s orders).<\/p>\n

2. Don\u2019t starve yourself \u2013 eat nutritious foods most of the time when hungry<\/h3>\n

People vigorously debate how\/if fasting affects metabolism by slowing it down, which would burn fewer calories, leading to weight gain. You\u2019ll have to decide for yourself if fasting is for you.<\/p>\n

One of the reasons fasting works for many people is because it reduces how many calories they eat during the day. Fewer calories usually leads to looser pants because you\u2019re burning more energy than taking in.<\/p>\n

However, one thing you can do is to enjoy nutritious<\/em> meals. Mind your portions and only eat until comfortably full to practice responsible calorie restriction.<\/p>\n

3. Reach for healthy snacks<\/h3>\n

A donut or bag of chips once in a while won\u2019t force you to send your favorite pants to Goodwill, as long as you\u2019re reaching for healthy snacks most of the time.<\/p>\n

A handful of Almonds and an apple make a great choice. You\u2019ll feel better too.<\/p>\n

4. Maintain muscle mass<\/h3>\n

Food is just one part of the equation. Exercise is the other. And although most people are familiar with treadmills, bikes and jogging, let\u2019s not forget about lifting weights to maintain lean muscle.<\/p>\n

Maintaining and adding muscle keeps the metabolism fired up. As we age, we lose muscle mass, slowing metabolism. So remember to add weight-bearing exercises to your fitness routine. It doesn\u2019t have to be anything major either unless you\u2019re training for a competition.<\/p>\n

By keeping the above guidelines in mind, you can create a healthy lifestyle that matches your preferences and likes. All it takes is eating well most of the time and moving more, along with getting enough rest, and reducing stress.<\/p>\n

Keep these tips in mind to create a healthy lifestyle you can live with:<\/p>\n