7 Ways to Help Keep the Pounds Off

Hello, friend,

Recently, I opened my mail and found one of those little silver-tone charms that WW (formerly Weight Watchers) sends you for losing the first 5 pounds on the plan. Problem was, I had gained them back. Ouch.

We know it doesn’t take much for a successful weight loss streak to stall and become a setback. All it really takes is a disruption in routine: Travel away from the healthy habits we’ve created at home. A stop-everything-and-buckle-down project at work. An upsetting experience and a funky mood that only pasta Alfredo seems to fix. An injury that interferes with our regular walking routine. (I’m looking at you, bum knee!)

So if you’re motivated, like I am, to get off this darn roller coaster, check out these “keep it off” tips based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Keep your doctor in the loop as you figure out your personal plan.

Think “nutrition” and not “diet.” Studies of people who maintained their weight loss for a year show that they didn’t go back to the eating habits they’d had before counting calories. Consider a healthy and realistic eating pattern as your new normal, says the CDC.

Plan ahead for changes in routine, whether they are weekends, vacations, special occasions or unexpected events. On family road trips, I’m the one who has memorized everyone’s Subway order and who calls in the takeout order at Bonefish Grill. Focusing on everyone else’s food intake makes it harder to limit mine. I’ve ordered a cooler on wheels for next time.