Changing for life is the key to successful weight loss maintenance.  

Time for change

In college, I used to always toast a party with on toast: “Here is to having what you don’t want and wanting what you don’t have”.  At the time, I thought I know what I wanted and what I needed and that these two things were the same.  I did not realize how wrong I had it with that statement or how well I truly had what I needed.  No matter whether it was girls or just about anything I wanted, I did not know what I truly wanted or needed.  In reality, I had everything I needed and should have been very grateful for all of the things I had been blessed.  

Weight loss is no different.  We always focus on loft goals that are not realistic and actually may be unhealthy.  We focus on where we want to be instead of being grateful for that we have accomplished.  Instead of being happy with our success, we focus on what we have yet to achieve.

We look forward to having that piece of cheesecake and steak at the end of the weight loss tunnel.  Then we spiral back to the weight we are trying to avoid.  If we were truly more grateful, we might avoid the weight regain.  

Weight loss is a huge change that makes dramatic differences in your life and your health.  Although it may seem simple, there is no magic pill.  It is also necessary to make lifestyle changes for weight loss success and this is true whether you have surgery or get a medication prescribed.  You must change your lifestyle or you will not lose wight.   The good news is that you can do this and weight loss is right within your fingertips.   Weight loss is a huge decision and if you have made it you have completed half the better.  When you are excited and committed to making lifestyle changes for weight loss, you have committed and completed the most difficult process.  

What type of changes are needed?     

1. Eat the right foods.  Follow a healthier diet is key to weight loss and maintenance.  Lean protein with more vegetables and fruit will help.   I also recommend whole-grains and less processed foods.  
2. Portion control is one key.  You can still enjoy eating, but you must know how much a severing of each food entails.  You simply cannot strap on the feedbag with reclass abandon.
3. Eat slowly and enjoy your food.  I refer this to mindful eating.  Take your time when eating and savour your food as you chew it.  This is not a race to the bottom of the ice cream bowl.  It will allow you to enjoy your food more and promote satiety.  
4. Exercise before or after meals.  Exercise promotes satiety and burns calories.  You do not need to spend hours in the gym pumping iron or running.  A simple 10-20 minutes after meals or in the morning before breakfast and reduce intake and promote satiety. 

The bottom line:  Promote lifestyle change that enables weight loss and you should be grateful for the changes you can maitnain.. These changes would be a lifeline change that you can enjoy and maintain.  If you do so, you will be more successful with losing weight and keeping it off.