If you've managed to lose weight, how are you doing keeping it off in the long term?

[dolphinsarentcommon]

Ive managed to get most of my excess weight off, and have kept it off for only about 6 months

I can already feel my resolve weakening. Too many extras are creeping in and I'm sabotaging all my hard work.

How do you stick at it when it feels like forever.

@dolphinsarentcommon it’s the worst isn’t it? I lost about 4stone, kept it off for 4-5 years, then gained it back plus an extra 1.5 stone. The body is very good at matching metabolism to calorie intake for some people. I thought it wouldn’t happen because I continued to eat way less and more healthily than I had before but it still went back on. So I’m sorry I don’t have the answer! And will keep an eye on this thread to see if other people have some good advice, but I think bariatric surgery is probably the closest thing to a solution that I know of. Hang in there

It's taken me a few failed attempts, but I feel I'm finally on a long-term, sustainable maintenance lifestyle. The trick for me was to make exercise a part of my daily routine that just automatically happens. And I allow myself a day or two a week of eating absolute rubbish if I want it, but I then get straight back to eating mostly healthy. Works for me.

I agree pd339 daily exercise has been the key for me, about 3 days a week I do a decent walk of 4 miles and other days I do less but I do do something. I'll also eat whatever I want on a couple of days or when out socialising then go back to sensible eating immediately afterwards.

After yo-yo dieting all my adult life, from 8 stone 10lbs to 15 stone, I now know myself better & I know I have to weigh myself every morning so I never let things slide. I realise that's a pain in the bum & not for everyone. To be honest I never thought it would be something I "had" to do but daily weigh-ins & a bit of daily exercise are what work for me.

I'm following this. It's a great book, really interesting about why we keep putting weight on. I'm not finding it easy, but it does give me hope.

Why We Eat (Too Much) Thread 5 http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weightlosss_chat/4452191-Why-We-Eat-Too-Much-Thread-5

16/8. Kept it off for avout 5 years and it's easy.

I lost 3.5 stone on slimming world and have kept it off fairly successfully. Stopped going to the meetings and stuff but stuck largely to some of the core principles. I have to watch what I eat and drink and I think I always will, especially since hitting 40.

@pd339 I think you're right. Exercise has to be part of the plan. I walk a fair bit but could do with finding something else to add in.

I lost 18Kg, started in the first lockdown, and am keeping it off.

Largely by seeing myself as being healthy rather than thinking about weight.

While I was losing weight (which I did at about 1lb a week) I concentrated on eating healthily, reasonable portions, no snacking. This broke a habit, and now I do have things like cake and chocolate but not as often and not as much, and the less I have it, the less I want it.

It was lockdown so I also had time to get into the habit of cooking simple easy healthy tasty meals from scratch. And now prepared foods seem expensive and / or unappealing.

Also I like being fitter, and feel more like my body is ‘me’. So I take care of it.

it’s hard to explain. I changed my habits and that changed my mindset.